Improving activity of Pt supported metal catalysts by changing reduction method of Pt precursor for hydrogen production from biomass

• Reduction method played a crucial role in the activity of Pt supported catalysts.
• Activities of the catalysts were evaluated for hydrogen production from biomass.
• Thermal reduction under N2 rather than H2 gas flow produced more active catalysts.
• Reduction with NaBH4 before thermal treatment increased catalyst activity.
• NaBH4 treatment caused substantial changes on the catalyst support surface.

Since Pt is an expensive noble metal, enhancement of activity of Pt-based catalysts is important. In the present study, effects of reduction methods of Pt precursor on activity of supported platinum catalysts were investigated. Activities of the prepared catalysts were evaluated through conversion of biomass compounds to hydrogen-rich gas mixture by aqueous-phase reforming.The results indicated that thermal reduction of Pt precursor (platinum (IV) chloride) under N2 flow produced more active catalyst compared to H2 flow for hydrogen-rich gas production by aqueous-phase reforming (APR). Performing reduction process with chemical reduction using NaBH4 reducing agent that followed by thermal treatment significantly improved the catalyst activity. The use of ethylene glycol during impregnation of Pt precursor did not cause an increase in activity. The preparation of nano-sized and uniform Pt deposited catalysts was highly dependent on the type of support used. In this case, AC is the best support compared to alumina and titanium dioxide.

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