Ethanol dry reforming over bimetallic Ni‐containing catalysts based on ceria‐zirconia for hydrogen production

Mixed Ce−Zr oxides with a fluorite structure were synthesized by the solvothermal method in a supercritical medium of isopropanol. The prepared mixed oxides Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ and Ce_0.75Zr_0.25O₂ were used as supports for 5 wt%Ni and bimetallic 2.5 wt%Ni+2.5 wt%Co catalysts. The catalysts were fully characterized (specific surface area, morphology, particle size, phase composition, surface atomic composition) and tested in ethanol dry reforming.

The dependences of the conversion of C₂H₅OH and CO₂, the yield of CO and H₂, and the H₂/CO ratio were estimated. The effect of the supported metals interaction and the effect of Ce/Zr ratio in the support on the catalytic activity were shown. The presence of nickel in the composition of the catalyst is necessary for high catalytic activity. It has been shown that the addition of cobalt cannot contribute to increase the catalytic activity and stability, but helps to decrease the deposition of carbon and significantly reduces the rate of carbon formation during ethanol dry reforming comparing to the monometallic nickel material.