Catalytic activity of cobalt and cerium catalysts supported on calcium hydroxyapatite in ethanol steam reforming

In this paper, Co,Ce/Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂ catalysts with various cobalt loadings for steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) were prepared by microwave-assisted hydrothermal and sol-gel methods, and characterized by XRD, TEM, TPR-H₂, N₂ adsorption-desorption measurements and cyclohexanol (CHOL) decomposition tests. High ethanol conversion (close to 100%) was obtained for the catalysts prepared by both methods but these ones prepared under hydrothermal conditions (HAp-H) ensured higher hydrogen yield (3.49 mol H₂/mol C₂H₅OH) as well as higher amount of hydrogen formed (up to 70%) under reaction conditions. The superior performance of 5Co,10Ce/HAp-H catalyst is thought to be due to a combination of factors, including increased reducibility and oxygen mobility, higher density of basic sites on its surface, and improved textural properties. The results also show a significant effect of cobalt loading on catalysts efficiency in hydrogen production: the higher H₂ yield exhibit catalysts with lower cobalt content, regardless of the used synthesis method.