Promoted activity of porous silica coated Ni/CeO2ZrO2 catalyst for steam reforming of acetic acid

Porous silica coated Ni/CeO2ZrO2 catalysts were synthesized for steam reforming of acetic acid. The silica coated Ni/CeO2ZrO2 catalyst showed a significantly enhanced activity (95% acetic acid conversion) than the Ni/CeO2ZrO2 catalysts (62% acetic acid conversion) at a low temperature (550 °C). Interaction between Ni/CeO2ZrO2 and silica layer was proved to be a crucial role on enhancing of catalytic activities. Further characterization (XPS, H2-TPR) indicates this interaction facilitates the steam reforming reaction and raises the selectivity of CO by modifying the surface Ni electronic structure. In addition, the coated catalyst also exhibited a good stability and no obvious deactivation was detected at 550 °C and 600 °C within 30 h.