Catalysts for Steam Reforming of Bio-oil: A Review

Despite extensive studies on the steam reforming of model compounds (e.g., ethanol), steam reforming of real bio-oil is a more practical means for H2 production. This review summarizes recent advances made in steam reforming of real bio-oil, with an emphasis on catalyst development for the process. Among the catalysts investigated, Ni is shown to be promising given its high activity for C–C and C–H bond cleavage. It also has the added advantage of a low cost of production. Strategies to improve catalyst performance include the mitigation of carbon deposition, inhibition of methanation, as well as promotion of water gas shift reactions. In addition, a discussion on current understanding of the reaction mechanism and catalyst deactivation is included in this review, with the aim to provide insight into the relationship between catalyst structure and performance that will give direction toward the development of high performance bio-oil steam reforming catalysts.