Adsorption/Desorption Behavior of Ethanol Steam Reforming Reactants and Intermediates over Supported Cobalt Catalysts

The interactions of reactants and intermediates with the surfaces in ethanol steam reforming over Co catalysts supported on ZrO2 and CeO2 were investigated using Temperature Programmed Desorption, Thermogravimetric Analysis-Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA-DSC), in situ Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and isotopic labeling techniques. Possible mechanistic steps are proposed that lead to acetaldehyde and acetone formation, steam reforming and coking. The role of the support versus active metal (i.e., Co) and the involvement of water in the reaction network are discussed.