Catalytic performance and characterization of Co/Mg/Al catalysts prepared from hydrotalcite-like precursors for the steam gasification of biomass

• The optimized Co/Mg/Al showed high activity and resistance to coke.
• The Co/Mg/Al was higher catalytic activity and regeneration ability than Ni/Mg/Al.
• The Co/Mg/Al has a nanocomposite structure of Co metal and MgAl2O4-based solid.
• The structure change of MgAl2O4-based solid solution can cause catalyst deactivation.

The Co/Mg/Al catalysts were prepared from the hydrotalcite-like compounds containing Co, Mg and Al, and applied to the steam gasification of biomass. It is found that the Co/Mg/Al (10/40/50) catalyst exhibited much higher activity and resistance to coke deposition than Co/α-Al2O3, Co/Al, Co/Mg and Ni/Mg/Al (9/66/25) catalysts. The catalyst characterization using BET, TPR, TPO, XRD, H2 adsorption, and TEM indicates that the Co/Mg/Al (10/40/50) catalyst after the reduction has a nanocomposite structure of Co metal particles (∼14 nm) and oxide particles (∼16 nm) of MgAl2O4-based solid solution. On the other hand, according to the catalyst characterization after the catalytic use and regeneration, the structural change of MgAl2O4-based solid solution to MgO-based solid solution can be a cause of the decrease of the catalytic activity.

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