Enhancing Bio-Ethanol Conversion to Renewable H2 Via Ethanol Steam Reforming Over a Highly Porous “One-Pot” Nickel and Molybdenum Carbide-Based Catalyst

The quest for an economical, active, and stable catalyst for the Bio-Ethanol Steam Reforming (ESR) reaction for renewable H2 production continues. We introduce a sol-gel Ni-Mo2C-Al2O3 catalyst, synthesized through a novel "one-pot" method. With a surface area of 670 m2.gcat-1, it combines Nickel's ability to cleave C-C bonds with the catalytic stability of Mo2C. Its stability and activity were assessed across an extensive temperature range (450 °C–700 °C) and at a high GHSV of 200,000 mmol.h-1.gcat-1. The high-temperature tests revealed impressive stability and activity, demonstrating 100% ethanol conversion and H2 production rate of 1,700 mmol.h-1.gcat-1 after 12 h of reaction. Additionally, despite the presence of graphitic and aromatic coke in the spent catalyst, H2 yield, and conversion remained constant, suggesting that coke formation did not block catalytic sites.