Ni/CeO2 FOR HYDROGEN PRODUCTION: THE ROLE OF METAL-SUPPORT INTERACTIONS

摘要

High-grade hydrogen for use in fuel-cell powered devices appears to be the answer to future energy demands. Active and inexpensive catalysts for the low-temperature water-gas shift (WGS) reaction (CO+H2O→H2+CO2) -used to decrease the CO concentration in the H2 produced from steam hydrocarbon reforming- are sought. Ni-CeO2 systems were shown to be active and selective catalysts for the WGS and ethanol reforming (ESR) reactions. The difficulties in characterizing the surface structure of powder catalysts and in identifying the active sites -essential for rational catalysts design- have motivated the preparation/creation of experimental/theoretical model Ni/CeO2(111) catalysts at low Ni loadings.