Gaowei Wu

Sorption enhanced steam reforming of ethanol on Ni–CaO–Al2O3 multifunctional catalysts derived from hydrotalcite-like compounds

This paper describes the sorption of carbon dioxide for enhanced steam reforming of ethanol to produce hydrogen via Ni–CaO–Al2O3 multifunctional catalysts derived from hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlcs). The catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption–desorption, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), H2 temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and tested in sorption enhanced steam reforming of ethanol (SESRE), in which products were monitored by an online mass spectrometer (MS). The Ni–CaO–Al2O3 catalysts possess uniform distribution of Ni, Ca and Al, contributing significantly to the excellent CO2 adsorbent capacity and reforming activity in SESRE. We have also examined the effect of Ca/Al ratios on Ni dispersion, CaO particle size, and catalytic reactivity; a Ca/Al of 3.0 was optimized. The Ni–CaO–Al2O3 catalysts outperform the conventional mixture of CaO adsorbents and Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for SESRE.

Sintering-resistant Ni-based reforming catalysts obtained via the nanoconfinement effect

This communication describes the design and synthesis of anti-sintering and -coke nickel phyllosilicate (PS) nanotubes (Ni/PSn) for hydrogen production via reforming reactions. The introduction of nickel particles in PS nanotubes could effectively maintain the Ni size and increase the resistance of metal particles for carbon deposition.

Superior reactivity of skeletal Ni-based catalysts for low-temperature steam reforming to produce CO-free hydrogen

This paper describes the utilization of skeletal Ni-based catalysts for steam reforming of ethanol to produce CO-free hydrogen, which could be superior in the application of fuel cells. Assistant metals play different roles in the reaction; Pt and Cu suppress the methanation and enhance H(2) production, while Co promotes the methanation.

Pt-based core–shell nanocatalysts with enhanced activity and stability for CO oxidation

This communication describes the synthesis of Pt@CeO2 core-shell catalysts for the application of highly efficient CO oxidation, where the 50% CO conversion temperature is lower than 200 °C. Pt@CeO2 is thermally stable as no deactivation occurs during the 70 h reaction, and the morphology is unchanged even after 700 °C thermal treatment.

Oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol using bimetallic Au–Pd/TiO2 catalysts: a deactivation study in a continuous flow packed bed microreactor

The stability of a bimetallic Au–Pd/TiO2 catalyst was examined in a packed bed microreactor for the oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol dissolved in toluene. The catalyst was prepared by co-impregnation with a Au–Pd weight ratio of 1 : 19. Experiments were performed at 80–120 °C, oxygen concentration 0–100% and total pressure 4 bara. Principal products observed were cinnamaldehyde, 3-phenyl-1-propanol and trans-β-methylstyrene. Although the same catalyst was shown to possess good stability in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol, it deactivated during the oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol, particularly at elevated reaction temperatures. Higher concentration of oxygen used for the reaction led to improved cinnamaldehyde selectivity but lower conversion and higher deactivation rates. Treatment with hydrogen recovered only a fraction of the activity. Deactivation was attributed to Pd leaching and a complex effect of oxygen.