Hydrogen production on Ni–Pd–Ce/γ-Al2O3 catalyst by partial oxidation and steam reforming of hydrocarbons for potential application in fuel cells

A series of catalysts of nickel–palladium–cerium supported upon alumina have been investigated in order to obtain a suitable catalyst that could be used in the process of producing hydrogen for the potential application in fuel cell by partial oxidation and steam reforming (POSR) of mixtures of hydrocarbons. Investigated results showed that little addition of cerium into Ni–Pd catalyst could definitely improve its stability of hydrogen production from mixtures of hydrocarbons by POSR method. The experimental results also showed that the optimum compositions of Ni–Pd–Ce catalyst were the molar ratio of Ni to Pd as 1:0.09 and containing of Ce 0.5 wt%, shortened as Ni–Pd–Ce-0.5 catalyst. XRD results for the typical catalysts showed that it mainly displayed the γ-Al2O3 and Ni peaks. SEM and TG results for the fresh and used Ni–Pd–Ce-0.5 catalysts, lasted for 540 h, did not show much difference on their surface patterns and TG curves, respectively. This indicated this catalyst would be a practical catalyst to produce hydrogen from liquid fuel by POSR method for potential application in fuel cells.