Hydrogen Production by Decomposition of Cellulose over Ni Catalysts

Abstract

Hydrogen production by cellulose gasification over Ni catalysts was investigated. The catalytic activity and the kind of products were affected by the kind of supports. The use of simple metal oxides as supports resulted in a formation of much amount of tar or char, while the use of zeolites as supports could inhibit the formation of tar or char but promote the carbon deposition. The loading of Ce could inhibit the carbon deposition in some degree, and, as a result, the activity for hydrogen production over Ni/Ce/zeolite catalysts was found to be almost comparable to that of Rh/Ce/SiO₂ catalyst. Thus, Ni/Ce/zeolite catalysts seem to be promising candidates for decomposition of cellulose, because Ni is cheaper than Rh.