Hydrogen from steam reforming of ethanol in low and middle temperature range for fuel cell application

The catalyst, Ni nano-particles supported on Y2O3, which was prepared by three methods, was studied. The structural properties of the catalysts were tested through X-ray diffraction and BET area. The catalyst of Ni/Y2O3 exhibits high activity for ethanol steam reforming with conversion of ethanol of 98% and selectivity of hydrogen of 38% at 300°C, conversion of ethanol of 98% and selectivity of hydrogen of 55% at 380°C. With temperature increasing to and above 500°C, the conversion of ethanol increased to 100%, but the selectivity of hydrogen did not increase so much, it was 58% at 600°C. The catalyst has long-term stability for steam reforming of ethanol and is a good choice for ethanol processors for fuel cell applications.