Hydrogen production from oxidative steam-reforming of n-propanol over Ni/Y2O3–ZrO2 catalysts

Oxidative steam reforming (OSR) of n-propanol was studied over new Ni catalysts (ca. 7% Ni wt/wt) supported on Y2O3–ZrO2 oxides with different yttrium content (2–41 % Y2O3 wt/wt). Materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Samples were used in calcined form and tested in the temperature range 673–773 K using a reactant feed of n-propanol/water/O2 at a molar ratio 1/9/0.5. Hydrogen production is related with the support composition and Ni dispersion.