Insight into CeO2 and Ni collaboration in ethanol steam reforming: Enhanced activity and stability of CeO2 modified Ni/MgAl2O4

This work focused on optimizing the synergistic effect between CeO2 and Ni in CeO2 modified Ni/MgAl2O4. Six catalysts for ethanol steam reforming (ESR), including NiCeMgAl, CeO2/NiMgAl, Ni/CeMgAl, Ni-CeO2/MgAl2O4, Ni/CeO2/MgAl2O4 and CeO2/Ni/MgAl2O4, were synthesized by sol–gel and/or impregnation methods, which controlled the introduction order of Ce(NO3)3. Ni/CeMgAl showed a satisfactory stability with 90.6 % of ethanol conversion after 100 h test, 66.9 % of H2 concentration in product, and an excellent anti-coking ability with 0.72 mgc/(gcat·h). The optimal catalytic performance of Ni/CeMgAl benefits from the unique distribution of components, which provides adequate Ni0 active sites for C-C bonds scission, maintains a stable particle size of metallic Ni, and suppresses the side reactions and carbonization of intermediates on CeO2 sites. This work illuminates the important of coordinating the ability of Ni and CeO2 for ESR and presents a new insight into the design of low-cost and high-performance catalysts in practical applications.