Development of robust Co-based catalysts for the selective H2-production by ethanol steam-reforming. The Fe-promoter effect

The effect of iron promoter on cobalt-based catalysts, active in the ethanol steam-reforming, was studied. Fe x Co 3 - x O 4 ( 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.60 ) oxides prepared by co-precipitation and an Fe-doped Co 3 O 4 prepared by wetness impregnation are analysed. The activation process of the oxides under reaction conditions was studied by in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD); the activation depended on the iron content of the oxides. The systems were characterized by means of temperature programmed reduction (TPR), XRD and tested in the ethanol steam-reforming reaction at 623–673 K. An optimal iron loading that gives rise to a high H2selectivity and catalyst stability was determined.