Highly active and stable Ni/perovskite catalysts in steam methane reforming for hydrogen production

Perovskites are good candidates as a catalyst support to enhance the catalytic performance of Ni catalysts in steam methane reforming for hydrogen production. To obtain a Ni/perovskite catalyst with a high activity and stability, different LaBO3 (B = Al, Fe, Mn), La(0.7)A(0.3)AlO(3-delta) (A = Ca, Ba, Ce, Zn, Sr, Mg) and La1-xMgxAlO3-delta perovskites were prepared and their role in supporting Ni catalysts was comprehensively investigated in the current work. Catalyst characterization methods, including XRD, H-2-TPR, H-2-TPD, XPS, TG and Raman spectroscopy, were also used to understand the underlying mechanisms. The results show that the doping of Ca, Ba, Ce and Zn in the A site of the perovskite lowers the catalytic activity, while the partial substitution of Mg and Sr could improve the activity of Ni/LaAlO3. More importantly, it is suggested that the Ni/La0.7Mg0.3AlO3-delta catalyst has an outstanding catalytic activity and resistance to carbon deposition, and there is some carbon deposited after a stability test lasting for 35 h. The excellent catalytic performance is determined to be due to the higher dispersion of active Ni, the greater the amount of surface oxygen, the stronger the interaction between the active metal and support due to the partial doping of Mg.

Automated summary

Perovskites have been investigated as catalyst supports for Ni catalysts, with the study showing that doping Ca, Ba, Ce, and Zn in the A site decreases catalytic activity, while partial substitution of Mg and Sr can enhance activity. The Ni/La0.7Mg0.3AlO3-delta catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic performance and resistance to carbon deposition after a stability test lasting 35 hours, attributed to higher dispersion of active Ni and stronger interaction due to partial Mg doping.