Steam reforming of ethanol over Co and Cu based catalysts

Co- and Cu-based catalysts prepared by flame pyrolysis (FP) technique are proposed as possible substitutes for Ni-based catalysts, very active for the Ethanol Steam Reforming reaction, but showing poor stability towards coke formation when operating at relatively low temperature. The FP method allowed to achieve a partial incorporation of the active phase into the support, leading to high dispersion and lower reducibility. The best results were achieved with 10wt% Co/SiO2, which led to higher activity, good C balance and low CO/CO2 ratio. This was ascribed to the high initial dispersion of Co into the silica matrix, which led to available Co particles well dispersed and stable.