Hydrogen production by steam reforming of acetic acid over Ni-based catalysts

The Ni metallic phase supported metal oxides such as α-Al2O3, Ce0.75Zr0.25O2, and MgO were tested under the steam reforming of acetic acid selected as a representative compound for the aqueous phase of the bio-oil derived from biomass pyrolysis. It was found that the catalytic activity and carbon formation for the catalysts studied were significantly dependent on the Ni content and the nature of support. The 15%Ni/Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic performance in terms of C–C breakage conversion and hydrogen yield. In addition, the redox property of Ce0.75Zr0.25O2 provided higher stability than the MgO and α-Al2O3 due to its less carbon deposition even at low steam-to-carbon ratios.