Steam reforming of glycerol: The experimental activity of La1−xCexNiO3 catalyst in comparison to the thermodynamic reaction equilibrium

The steam reforming of glycerol (1,2,3-propantriol) was investigated with non-substituted and partially Ce substituted La1−xCexNiO3 mixed oxides where x = 0, 0.1, 0.3 or 0.7, and the activities were compared with Pt metal catalysts. The catalysts were characterised by temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), BET surface area and carbon content. The Ni was easily reduced in the La0.3Ce0.7NiO3 structure. The experimental results were compared with the thermodynamic equilibrium concentrations, which were calculated for the system with non-stochiometric method. The La0.3Ce0.7NiO3 catalyst was highly active in the glycerol steam reforming with conversions approaching to the equilibrium at temperatures between 500 and 700 °C. The formation of carbonaceous deposits on the La0.3Ce0.7NiO3 was smallest among all the investigated La1−xCexNiO3 catalysts. Unchanged catalyst surface area (BET) during operation and low carbon deposition after reaction confirm the efficient operation and high stability of the non-noble, inexpensive catalyst of La0.3Ce0.7NiO3.