The influence of nano-architectured CeOx supports in RhPd/CeO2 for the catalytic ethanol steam reforming reaction

• RhPd supported on CeO2 nanocubes performs better in the ethanol steam reforming.
• The CeO2 shaped support has a strong influence on the water–gas shift activity.
• Metal reorganization over CeO2 {1 0 0} and {1 1 0} is higher than over CeO2 {1 1 1}.

The ethanol steam reforming (ESR) reaction has been tested over RhPd supported on polycrystalline ceria in comparison to structured supports composed of nanoshaped CeO2 cubes and CeO2 rods tailored toward the production of hydrogen. At 650–700 K the hydrogen yield follows the trend RhPd/CeO2-cubes > RhPd/CeO2-rods > RhPd/CeO2-polycrystalline, whereas at temperatures higher than 800 K the catalytic performance of all samples is similar and close to the thermodynamic equilibrium. The improved performance of RhPd/CeO2-cubes and RhPd/CeO2-rods for ESR at low temperature is mainly ascribed to higher water–gas shift activity and a strong interaction between the bimetallic–oxide support interaction. STEM analysis shows the existence of RhPd alloyed nanoparticles in all samples, with no apparent relationship between ESR performance and RhPd particle size. X-ray diffraction under operating conditions shows metal reorganization on {1 0 0} and {1 1 0} ceria crystallographic planes during catalyst activation and ESR, but not on {1 1 1} ceria crystallographic planes. The RhPd reconstructing and tuned activation over ceria nanocubes and nanorods is considered the main reason for better catalytic activity with respect to conventional catalysts based on polycrystalline ceria.

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