Steam reforming of ethanol over metal-oxide-promoted Pt/SiO2 catalysts: Effects of strong metal-oxide interaction (SMOI)

The steam reforming of ethanol over metal-oxide-promoted Pt/SiO2 catalysts after H2 reduction was investigated. The catalysts were prepared by sequential impregnation with an aqueous solution of Pt(NO2)2(NH3)2 and aqueous solutions of metal complexes of V, Nb, and Mo. For a range of low temperatures (393–513 K), the ethanol conversion achieved by adding these metal oxides was greater than that achieved when an un-promoted-Pt/SiO2 catalyst was used. The highest ethanol conversion was achieved in the case of the Nb-oxide-promoted Pt/SiO2 catalyst; in this case, the ethanol conversion was the highest and it was 2.7 times higher than that in the case of the un-promoted Pt/SiO2 catalyst at 473 K. The results of catalyst characterization suggest that the surface of Pt metal particles was covered by NbOx. The effects of strong metal-oxide interaction (SMOI) in Pt–NbOx enhanced the steam reforming of ethanol.

Graphical AbstractThe steam reforming of ethanol over metal-oxide-promoted Pt/SiO2 catalysts after H2 reduction was investigated. The catalysts were prepared by sequential impregnation with an aqueous solution of Pt(NO2)2(NH3)2 and aqueous solutions of metal complexes of V, Nb, and Mo. For a range of low temperatures (393–513 K), the ethanol conversion achieved by adding these metal oxides was greater than that achieved when an un-promoted-Pt/SiO2 catalyst was used. The highest ethanol conversion was achieved in the case of the Nb-oxide-promoted Pt/SiO2 catalyst; in this case, the ethanol conversion was the highest and it was 2.7 times higher than that in the case of the un-promoted Pt/SiO2 catalyst at 473 K. The results of catalyst characterization suggest that the surface of Pt metal particles was covered by NbOx. The effects of strong metal-oxide interaction (SMOI) in Pt–NbOx enhanced the steam reforming of ethanol.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► Strong metal-oxide interaction (SMOI) was induced in SMSI-oxide-promoted Pt/SiO2 catalysts;
► The effects of the SMOI enhanced catalytic activity of steam reforming of ethanol;
► Niobium oxide-promoted Pt/SiO2 catalyst was the most active in the reaction;
► Hydrogen formation rate was increased by the effects of the SMOI.