Construction of high-performance NiCe-MOF derived structured catalyst for steam reforming of biomass tar model compound

High-performance and inexpensive catalysts play a large role in effective removal of biomass tar produced during biomass gasification. In this study, raw wood, with long, through, but distorted channels and a low tortuosity, was selected as a support. A layered NiCe-metal organic framework (NiCe-MOF) was grown in-situ on the surface of raw wood microchannels by using abundant surface hydroxide groups. Then, this catalyst was carbonized at 600 degrees C in a N-2 atmosphere to obtain NiCe-MOF derived catalyst/wood carbon (NiCe-MDC/WC), which was selected as a structured reactor for the steam reforming of biomass tar. NiCe-MDC/WC achieved an excellent conversion rate of approximately 99% for toluene and a high catalytic stability of 48 h at low temperature of 550 degrees C. Moreover, NiCe-MDC/WC showed higher catalytic performance than Ni-MDC/WC (similar to 79%), crushed-NiCe-MDC/WC (similar to 94%), and Ni/WC (similar to 75%) in stability tests. These excellent results were assumed to be derived from the multilevel structure obtained from wood carbon microchannels and secondary layered MOF channels, appropriate metal-support interactions, and the presence of Ce, which could improve the dispersion of active sites and mass transfer efficiency and inhibit coke formation. Thus, such Ni-based MOF-derived structured reactors are promising for tar conversion and useful syngas production. (C)2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, a NiCe-MOF derived catalyst/wood carbon (NiCe-MDC/WC) was prepared by in-situ growth of layered NiCe-MOF on the surface of raw wood microchannels, and it was used for the steam reforming of biomass tar. The results showed that NiCe-MDC/WC exhibited high catalytic activity and stability, which were attributed to the multilevel structure, metal-support interactions, and the presence of Ce.