Ni supported Ce0.9Sm0.1O2-δ nanowires: An efficient catalyst for ethanol steam reforming for hydrogen production

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) Vol. 237; pp. 1244 - 1253
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Thenner S., de Moura, Arthur B.L., e Silva, Felipe A., Candido, Eduardo G., da Silva, Anderson G.M., de Oliveira, Daniela C., Quiroz, Jhon, Camargo, Pedro H.C., Bergamaschi, Vanderlei S., Ferreira, João C., Linardi, Marcelo, Fonseca, Fabio C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2019
• Subjects: Controlled and superior properties; Ethanol steam reforming; Hydrogen production; Nanostructured catalyst; Ni/Ce0.9Sm0.1O2-δ nanowires; Nanostructured catalyst; Controlled and superior properties; Ni/Ce0.9Sm0.1O2-δ nanowires; Ethanol steam reforming; Hydrogen production
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2018.10.053

[Display omitted] •Ni supported Ce0.9Sm0.1O2-δ nanowires with well-defined shape, size, and composition.•High surface and metallic area, oxygen vacancies, finely dispersed Ni particles.•Outstanding catalytic performance towards ethanol steam reforming.•High yields for hydrogen production and exceptional stability during 192 h of reaction.•Nanostructured catalysts displaying controlled and superior properties. We reported herein the synthesis in high yields (>97%) of Ce0.9Sm0.1O2-δ nanowires displaying well-defined shape, size, and composition by a simple, fast, and low-cost two-step hydrothermal method. The Ce0.9Sm0.1O2-δ nanowires synthesis was followed by the wet impregnation of Ni without the utilization of any stabilizing agent. The Ni/Ce0.9Sm0.1O2-δ nanowires showed higher surface area, high concentration of oxygen vacancies at surface, and finely dispersed Ni particles with significantly higher metallic surface area as compared with catalysts prepared from commercial materials with similar compositions. Such unique and improved properties are reflected on the catalytic performance of the Ni/Ce0.9Sm0.1O2-δ nanowires towards ethanol steam reforming. The nanowires exhibited high yields for hydrogen production (∼60% of selectivity) and an exceptional stability with no loss of activity after 192 h of reaction at 550 °C. The reported results provide insights and can inspire high-yield production of nanostructured catalysts displaying controlled and superior properties that enable practical applications in heterogeneous catalysis.