Hydrogen production via steam reforming of ethylene glycol over Attapulgite supported nickel catalysts

Steam reforming of ethylene glycol was investigated over Ni-based catalysts supported on Attapulgite (ATP; originating from Jiangsu (JS), Anhui, and Gansu (GS) provinces in China). N-2 adsorption-desorption, XRD, FTIR, H-2-TPR, NH3-TPD, SEM, and TEM-EDS measurements were performed to analyze the catalyst properties. The results revealed that Ni/ATP(GS) had the largest particle size (17.9 nm) and the highest reductive degree (98.0%). Consequently, Ni/ATP(GS) showed the highest ethylene glycol conversion (97.2%) during the first 4 h of reaction. However, this catalyst showed the lowest H-2 yield (71.2%), possibly owing to large Ni particle sizes as well as ample surface acidic sites and acidity, leading to a high selectivity toward CH4 (20.8%) and C2H4 (2.2%). In contrast, Ni/ATP(JS) presented the highest H-2 yield (89.8%) owing to it having the smallest Ni particle sizes and lowest amount of surface acidic sites. Additionally, this catalyst showed the highest stability over 8 h of reaction. An examination of the spent catalysts revealed that Ni/ATP(JS) possessed excellent antisintering and coking properties. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.