Effect of iron on durability of nickel-based catalysts in auto-thermal reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production

Iron-promoted nickel-based catalysts were prepared by impregnation, tested in auto-thermal reforming (ATR) of ethanol for hydrogen production, and characterized by TPR, XRD, BET, TEM, and XPS. With the introduction of iron, mixed crystals of NiAl2O4–FeAl2O4 spinel phase are formed, which results in modifications of its structural and electronic properties. The reaction results show a remarkable improvement on durability in catalytic activity as well as selectivity to hydrogen in ATR: over the 10 wt.% iron-loading nickel catalyst, conversion of ethanol at 99.61% and selectivity of hydrogen around 115% are kept at 600 °C during a 30-h test, while that of iron-free sample decreases sharply from 85.10% to 19.71% on hydrogen selectivity within a 26-h test. The improved durability is attributed to the synergistic effect of the NiAl2O4–FeAl2O4 mixed crystals that are more resistant to sintering and oxidation in the oxidative atmosphere of ATR.