Preparation and evaluation of zirconia microspheres as inorganic exchanger in adsorption of copper and nickel ions and as catalyst in hydrogen production from bioethanol

In this work, the preparation and performance of a zircônia microspheres inorganic exchanger in uptake of nickel and copper ammoniacal solution is showed. The yield of retention of the metallic ions was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy analysis (ICP-AES). Microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), gas adsorption (BET). The catalyst of 6%Ni/3%Cu/ZrO2 exhibits high activity for ethanol steam reforming with conversion of ethanol of 100% and selectivity of hydrogen of 60% at 550 °C.