The effect of the morphology of nanocrystalline CeO2 on ethanol reforming

CeO2 nanocrystals with cube and rod shapes synthesized under hydrothermal conditions have been used to prepare Rh/CeO2 catalyst (5% mass) on Al2O3 support to test their catalytic activity for ethanol reforming. The catalysts as prepared show H2 selectivity superior to a catalyst with irregular CeO2 nanoparticles. Although the shape of CeO2 particles gradually altered and the activity decreased during the reforming, the {1 0 0}/{1 1 0}-dominant surface structures play a crucial role to enhance the ethanol reforming, which is important for fuel-cell applications.