Support effect on structure and performance of Co and Ni catalysts for steam reforming of acetic acid
Abstract Syngas production from acetic acid steam reforming was demonstrated. For this purpose Co or Ni with different metal loading supported on Al 2 O 3 and ZnO were used as catalysts. The catalytic performance was studied in the 600 800 degC temperature range. The best ones were achieved at 800 degC over the following catalyst in the order of Ni/Al 2 O 3 Co/ZnO Ni/ZnO, which provide high acetic acid conversions and high selectivities to the desired products, H 2 and CO. As byproducts small amounts of CH 4 acetone and ethylene were found, and their selectivity decreased with increasing reaction temperature. The internal morphology and structure of the catalyst was investigated by in situ X ray diffraction (XRD) transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) analysis. Morphological and structural modifications in the catalysts under reaction conditions, determined by the type of support and active metal, were closely related to the activity of the samples. High catalytic performance of Al 2 O 3 supported samples is observed only over Ni containing catalysts, due to the good dispersion of the active metal over the support, which promotes the formation of metallic Ni. The best performances of ZnO supported catalysts were achieved at high temperature, when formation of alloy structure was detected together with the complete reduction of the active metals.