Pruning of the surface species on Ni/Al2O3 catalyst to selective production of hydrogen via acetone and acetic acid steam reforming

Catalytic behaviors of the different metallic Ni species on Ni/Al2O3 catalyst surface were investigated in steam reforming of acetone and acetic acid to hydrogen. The different Ni species showed distinct activities for activation of acetic acid and acetone, gasification of coke precursors, and other secondary reactions such as methanation, water–gas shift reaction, CO disproportion and methane decomposition. The Ni species weakly interacted with alumina solely showed negligible reforming activity, while the Ni species mildly interacted with alumina was very active and efficient for steam reforming reaction. In comparison, the Ni species strongly interacted with alumina existed in bigger particle sizes, which resulted in the side reactions for by-product generation and consequently led to serious coking. Suppression of its presence on catalyst is the key point to obtain a highly selective and stable Ni/Al2O3 catalyst.

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► The distinct Ni species on Ni/Al2O3 catalyst were identified and characterized.
► Capacities of the Ni species for activation of acetone were investigated.
► Activities of Ni species for secondary reactions in steam reforming were measured.
► Ni species on catalytic activity, selectivity and coke formation were investigated.