Noble metal-supported CeO2 catalysts for hydrogen production via ethanol steam reforming

Abstract

This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic performance of noble metal-supported cerium oxide (M/CeO2, where M = Au, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ru) catalysts for ethanol steam reforming, a promising method for sustainable hydrogen production. A urea-assisted deposition approach was employed to deposit noble metal nanoparticles uniformly on CeO2 without stabilizers, preserving the support’s crystallinity and enhancing reducibility through strong metal-support interactions. Catalytic tests at 550 °C over 24 h revealed significant differences in activity and the products distribution based on the metal used. Rh/CeO2 demonstrated the highest performance, achieving complete ethanol conversion and 37.75% hydrogen production, attributed to its efficient C─C and C─H bond cleavage. Pt/CeO2 and Ru/CeO2 also displayed high activity and stability, whereas Pd/CeO2 and Au/CeO2 primarily produced acetaldehyde due to preferential C─H bond scission. Post-reaction analysis confirmed minimal carbon deposition across all catalysts, with Rh/CeO2 exhibiting the highest resistance to coke formation. These findings emphasize the importance of noble metal choice and metal-support interactions in optimizing catalyst performance. Rh, Pt, and Ru emerged as the most promising candidates for efficient hydrogen production. This study develops advanced catalysts optimized for renewable energy use for hydrogen production via ethanol steam reforming.