Steam reforming of ethanol over Ni/CexTi1−xO2 catalysts

In this work, a series of Ni/CexTi1−xO2 catalysts were prepared by an impregnation-co-precipitation method and the influences of Ce/Ti ratios on the catalytic performance and carbon deposition were investigated for H2 production by steam reforming of ethanol (SRE). The structural properties of the catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction, TPR and TG–DTA techniques. The results showed that the catalytic activities and coking resistant behaviors were affected by the structural properties in Ni/CexTi1−xO2 catalysts. Ni species mainly existed in the form of NiTiO3 in the NiO/CexTi1−xO2 catalysts before reduction. Metal nickel produced after reduction from NiTiO3 was highly dispersed, which was the key active component. The catalysts were very active for SRE and exhibited good anti-sintering ability. The formation of Ce–O–Ti solid solution improved redox capability of CeO2. Both high dispersion of Ni0 reduced from NiTiO3 and the formation of Ce–O–Ti solid solution were beneficial for the catalyst performance in Ni/CexTi1−xO2 catalyst.