Catalytic performance of La-Ni/Al2O3 catalyst for CO2 reforming of ethanol

La-promoted 10%Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by wet impregnation method and evaluated for ethanol dry reforming at various reaction temperatures and partial pressure of reactants. Ni particles were finely dispersed on catalyst surface and catalyst exhibited surface area of about 86 m2 g−1. X-ray diffraction measurements indicated the formation of NiO and La2O3 phases whilst NiO and spinel NiLa2O4 forms were reduced to metallic Ni during H2 reduction. Catalytic activity seemed to be stable with time-on-stream beyond 5-7 h and both C2H5OH and CO2 conversions reached to 45.5% and 36.3%, respectively with varying CO2 partial pressure from 0 to 50 kPa. Significantly, H2/CO ratio varied from 1.3-2.3 favoured for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The optimal C2H5OH partial pressure for reactant conversions was observed at 30-40 kPa. Reaction temperature varied from 923 to 973 K enhanced C2H5OH conversion about 167%. The heterogeneous nature of carbonaceous deposits including filamentous and graphitic carbons on the surface of spent catalyst was evidenced by SEM, TEM and Raman analyses. However, carbon nanofilament appeared to be predominant with concentration of 69.8%.