Loading oxide nano sheet supported Ni–Co alloy nanoparticles on the macroporous walls of monolithic alumina and their catalytic performance for ethanol steam reforming

• Small Ni–Co alloy nanoparticles were highly dispersed on the MgAlOx nanosheets.
• The catalysts were prepared by calcining and reducing the MgNiCo/Al-LDH precursor.
• MgNiCo/Al-LDH precursor was in situ grown on the macropores' walls of the γ-Al2O3.
• The catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic performance for ethanol steam reforming.
• The porous structure with the open access is beneficial for the mass transfer.

The nanoparticles of Ni–Co alloy/MgAlOx nanosheets were supported on monolithic macroporous γ-Al2O3 by calcining and reducing a layered double hydroxide which contains elements of Mg, Ni, Co and Al. This precursor was in situ grown on the macropores’ walls of the γ-Al2O3 support by sharing the sole Al source. The catalysts and their precursors were characterized by using the techniques of XRD, TPR, TEM, SEM, ICP-OES, TG and N2 adsorption/desorption. The results indicate that small Ni–Co alloy nanoparticles were highly dispersed on the MgAlOx nanosheets and the porous structure with the open access of active sites should be beneficial for the mass transfer. The resultant catalysts exhibited excellent catalytic performance for ethanol steam reforming. The new preparation approach described here provides a practical and efficient method to support nano-bimetallic catalysts. The results suggest that this type of material possesses tremendous potential for future applications.