Synthesis of bentonite-supported Ni, La, and Ca catalysts for hydrogen production through steam reforming of acetic acid

In this study, the production of hydrogen-rich gas through the steam reforming of acetic acid using bentonitesupported catalysts was investigated. Bentonite was treated by washing and calcination. Bentonite-supported Ni, Ca, La, Ni-La, and Ni-Ca catalysts with different active metal loadings of 10 and 30 wt% were synthesized using the wet impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, XRF, SEM, EDS, BET, FTIR, NH3-TPD, 3-TPD, and Raman. The activity tests of the catalysts were carried out in a continuous flow tubular reactor at various temperatures (500, 600, 700, and 800 degrees C). Product gas composition was determined by gas chromatography (mu-GC). The effect of bentonite treatment, active metal type, and bimetallic combinations (Ni/Bent, Ni/Bent*, La/Bent, Ca/Bent, Ni-La/Bent, and Ni-Ca/Bent) were studied. The highest hydrogen yield obtained without a catalyst was 8.61% at 700 degrees C. This yield increased to 74.5% at 600 degrees C with 30 wt% Ni-La/Bentonite, and to 42.6% with 30 wt% Ni/Bentonite catalysts, respectively. The experimental results show that bentonite has a suitable catalytic activity on its own and is a promising support material for the steam reforming of acetic acid.