Ethanol steam reforming over Ni-based spinel oxide

The Ni-based spinel-type oxides, NiB2O4 (B = Al, Fe, Mn), were investigated for their catalysis of the ethanol steam reforming reaction. Ethanol conversion over spinel-type oxides without reduction treatment was comparable to that over γ-alumina-supported Ni catalyst with reduction. The spinel oxide of NiAl2O4 showed extremely stable performance for 48 h, while the activity of NiFe2O4 and NiMn2O4 catalysts was reduced by carbon deposition. Catalyst stability for reforming reaction was closely related to the stability of the nickel metal dispersed on the catalyst surface and the spinel structure. Differences in crystallinity and surface area among the catalysts were not crucial factors for determining ethanol conversion for NiAl2O4 calcined between 800 °C and 1100 °C. The catalyst calcined at 900 °C exhibited the highest activity for the reforming reaction.