Nature of the active sites in Ni/MgAl2O4-based catalysts designed for steam reforming of ethanol

Metallic Ni is a key ingredient of oxide supported ethanol reforming catalysts. Metallic Ni content on MgAl2O4 support was optimized by addition of Co, which occupied exchangeable Mg sites and forced Ni to environments more accessible for reduction. Increased concentration of metallic sites and charge transfer from metallic particles to the support were responsible for the enhanced ethanol reforming performance of the bimetallic catalyst.76