Hydrogen production by ethanol decomposition and partial oxidation over copper/copper-chromite based catalysts prepared by combustion synthesis

► The catalytic generation of hydrogen from ethanol dehydrogenation and oxidative reforming has been studied on copper chromite based catalysts. ► Catalysts used have been prepared by combustion synthesis. ► Copper/copper chromite; copper/copper chromite on Al2O3 and copper/ZnO on Al2O3 have been prepared and tested. ► Copper chromite on alumina is the best catalyst for ethanol dehydrogenation (82% of conversion, 50% selectivity at 300 °C). ► Copper/ZnO/Al2O3 resulted the best catalyst in the ethanol oxidative reforming (70% of conversion, 35% selectivity at 300 °C).