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.
H2 chemisorption data indicate that 20% Ni–2% Ce/Al2O3 catalysts exhibit larger nickel surface area compared to 20% Ni/Al2O3 catalysts.
Nickel surface area of sol–gel catalysts is also found to be strongly dependent on calcination and reduction temperatures. In situ DRIFTS
experiments coupled with TPD and TPReaction suggest that formate and carbonate species are formed upon the reaction of adsorbed propane
and water on reduced catalysts.
© 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserve