Steam reforming of acetic acid using core-shell type nickel catalysts

Abstract

Nickel nanoparticle catalysts coated by various oxides with core shell structures were prepared and their catalytic tests in steam reforming of acetic acid were performed in a fixed bed flow reactor. The catalysts were characterized by means of BET measurement, SEM, TEM and H₂-TPR. Coke amount and carbon species after catalytic tests were determined using DTG. It was observed that various oxide shells had a significant influence on the catalytic activity in steam reforming of acetic acid. Ni@CeO₂ catalysts was found to have a conversion of acetic acid up to 97.3 % and a hydrogen yield of 73.5% at 750 ^oC. In addition, the sintering of nickel and coke deposition on catalysts were also inhibited by the protection of oxide shells.