Synergetic Bimetallic NiCo/CNT Catalyst for Hydrogen Production by Glycerol Steam Reforming: Effects of Metal Species Distribution

Bimetallic catalysts NiCo/CNTs with distribution-controlled Ni and Co species were prepared by modified impregnation method with the assistance of dimethylbenzene and characterized by XRD, N-2 adsorption/desorption, HAADF, TEM, XPS, TPR, and TG. The metal species could be well dispersed in calcined catalyst, and the distribution had profound influences on reducibility, surface property, and particle size. Sintering of active sites and coke deposition were mainly responsible for catalytic deactivation, and the former one played a negative role in promoting a water gas shift reaction. The sample where both Ni and Co were located in CNT caves performed the best in catalytic activity as well as in stability thanks to the confinement effect.