The effect of lanthanide elements (La, Ce, and Yb) on the catalytic behavior of sol–gel Ni/Al2O3 catalysts in propane steam reforming was
investigated. Steady-state reaction experiments show that the addition of small amounts (2 wt.%) of lanthanide elements improves the catalytic
activity and stability significantly. The changes in reaction performance are related to catalyst reducibility, nickel surface area and resistance
to deactivation. Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization results reveal that
the presence of lanthanide elements enhances the catalyst reducibility; the positive effect is most evident with 20% Ni–2% Ce/Al2O3 catalysts.
The aim of this study was comparative analysis of catalysts with 5 and 20 wt.% Ni loading,
with and without Pd additive, and it included: determination of reduction degrees, investigation
on microstructure by scanning electron microscopy and chemical analysis by
energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Ni/Al2O3 and Ni–Pd/Al2O3 catalysts supported on α-Al2O3-
-based foams were synthesized by aerosol assisted impregnation. Impregnation of the
foams by ultrasonically aerosolized chlorides was followed by drying at 473 K and hydrogen
reduction at 533 and 633 K. Lower Ni loading resulted in higher reduction degrees. Ni
loading of 20 wt.% enabled relatively uniform coverage of the foam with a metallic coating.
Nearly complete reduction was achieved at both temperatures with activity modifier (Pd).
Reduction degrees reached 99.4 and 98.2 wt.% at 533 K for 5 and 20 wt.% of Ni, respectively