Hydrogen production by aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol over Ni-B catalysts

A Ni-B amorphous alloy catalyst (AP Ni) was prepared and used in an aqueous-phase reforming (APR) of glycerol. Higher stability and higher selectivity towards H2 were obtained when compared with Raney Ni. After 130 h’ on stream aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol, the amorphous Ni-B catalyst was transformed to hexagonal closed-packed (hcp) Ni crystallites. The high selectivity towards hydrogen and catalytic stability may be due to the formation of hcp Ni crystallites during reaction and the protection of B2O3. The AP Ni catalyst was found to be 35–50% more active in terms of the H2 production rate and 17–31% more selective toward H2 as compared to Raney Ni. The reforming reaction at different reaction temperature, feedstock concentration, feedstock flow rate and other biomass derivatives i.e., ethylene glycol and sorbitol, were also investigated over AP Ni catalyst.

Graphical abstractA Ni-B amorphous alloy catalyst (AP Ni) with higher stability and selectivity towards H2 was developed for an APR process of biomass derivatives.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► A Ni-B amorphous alloy catalyst was used in aqueous-phase reforming of glycerol. ► High stability and high selectivity to H2 was obtained on Ni-B alloy catalyst. ► After long term APR of glycerol, Ni-B catalyst was transformed to hcp Ni. ► The good performance of Ni-B catalyst may be due to the formation of hcp Ni. ► The Ni-B catalyst can be used in the APR of ethylene glycol and sorbitol.