Study of the performance of Rh/La2O3 and Rh/La2O3-SiO2 catalysts for hydrogen production from ethanol

- DA SILVA, A. M, MÚNERA, J., CORNAGLIA, L., LOMBARDO, E.A., MATTOS, L.V., NORONHA, F.B.

Detroit

Congreso; 22nd Meeting of the North American Catalysis Society; 2011

North American Catalysis Society

The development of suitable catalysts to produce hydrogen through the ethanol conversion reactions is still a significant challenge mainly due to catalyst deactivation. Rh based catalysts have been extensively used for hydrogen production by steam reforming (SR) and oxidative steam reforming (OSR) of ethanol [1-3]. Rh/MgO and Rh/Al2O3 catalysts significantly deactivated during SR of ethanol which was attributed to carbon deposition [1]. Platon et al. [2] reported that a significant build-up of reaction intermediates occurred during the SR reaction over Rh/CeZrO2, which could contribute to catalyst deactivation. On the other hand, no deactivation was observed on Rh/CeO2 catalyst during OSR of ethanol [3]. The authors proposed that ceria inhibited coke deposition through oxygen transfer from ceria to Rh particles, thereby contributing to carbon removal from Rh particles. These results reveal that the design of an appropriate catalyst for hydrogen production from ethanol strongly depends on the reaction conditions and the nature of the support used. Lanthana has been successfully used as a support for syngas production by methane conversion reactions over Rh-based catalysts [4]. Lanthana improves catalyst stability, decreasing the formation of carbon. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the effect of lanthana on the performance of Rh-based catalysts for hydrogen production through SR and OSR of ethanol.