Co/ZnO and Ni/ZnO catalysts for hydrogen production by bioethanol steam reforming. Influence of ZnO support morphology on the catalytic properties of Co and Ni active phases

Renewable hydrogen production from steam reforming of bioethanol is an interesting approach to produce sustainable hydrogen. However, simultaneous competitive reactions can occur, decreasing the hydrogen production yield. To overcome this problem, modifications in the steam reforming catalysts are being studied. Ni and Co active phases supported over modified ZnO have been widely studied in hydrogen production from steam reforming of bioethanol. However, the influence of the morphology and particle size of ZnO supports on the catalytic behaviour of the supported Ni and Co has not been reported. In the present work, we show how the morphology, shape, and size of ZnO support particles can control the impregnation process of the metal active centres, which manages the properties of active metallic particles. It has been found that nanorod particles of ZnO, obtained by calcination of Zn acetate, favour the metal-support interactions, decreasing the metallic particle sizes and avoiding metal (Co or Ni) sinterization during the calcination of metal precursors. Small metallic particle sizes lead to high values of active metal exposure surface, increasing the bioethanol conversion and hydrogen production.