Toward stable nickel catalysts for aqueous phase reforming of biomass-derived feedstock under reducing and alkaline conditions

Nickel nanoparticles supported on carbon nanofibers (CNF) can be stabilized in aqueous phase processes at elevated temperatures and pressures by tuning the reaction conditions to control Ni oxidation and leaching. As a showcase, Ni/CNF was used for the production of hydrogen via aqueous phase reforming of ethylene glycol (EG). Under standard conditions (T = 230 °C, inert atmosphere, 1 wt.% EG), extensive catalyst deactivation occurred as a result of Ni particle growth. The extent of Ni particle growth was diminished either by using a more reducing environment by introducing additional H₂into the reactor or by increasing the concentration of reactant. Deactivation of the Ni/CNF catalyst due to particle growth was almost completely prevented by addition of KOH to the reaction mixture. Stable H₂production was achieved with high hydrogen selectivity (99%) during 50 h on stream by addition of KOH, while without KOH the catalyst lost 93% of its initial activity and the H₂selectivity was lower (90%). The increased stability of Ni particles under both alkaline and reducing conditions is ascribed to the suppression of Ni leaching, which prevented subsequent particle growth via Ostwald ripening.