Effective and stable bioethanol steam reforming catalyst based on Ni and Co supported on all-silica delaminated ITQ-2 zeolite

Catalysts based on Ni and Co supported on pure silica ITQ-2 delaminated zeolite have been prepared and tested in the bioethanol steam reforming. Ni/ITQ-2 zeolite was found the most active material while ITQ-2 zeolite containing Co exhibited the highest hydrogen selectivity and the lowest CO selectivity. Deposition of coke occurs in both materials; however, deactivation was not detected during the experimentation time (72 h). The particular structure and physico-chemical characteristics of the ITQ-2 zeolite as support [absence of acid sites, high external surface area (>800 m2 g−1)] could account for the high activity, selectivity and stability detected.