Catalytic performances of Ni and Cu impregnated MCM-41 and Zr-MCM-41 for hydrogen production through steam reforming of acetic acid

A new mesoporous catalyst support material was synthesized by incorporation of zirconia into the structure of MCM-41 through a one-pot procedure. Catalytic performances of MCM-41 and Zr incorporated MCM-41 (25Zr-MCM-41) supported Ni or Cu catalysts were investigated in steam reforming of acetic acid reaction, at 750 degrees C. Some deformation in the ordered pore structure of MCM-41 was observed as a result of Zr incorporation. The activity test results showed that the catalytic performances of the zirconia incorporated MCM-41 were more stable than the MCM-41 supported materials. The catalysts containing 5% and 10% Ni gave highly promising results to achieve high hydrogen selectivity. However, the performance of the catalysts containing 5% Ni was more stable. Comparison of performances of Cu and Ni based catalysts showed that Cu was not a good catalyst for the steam reforming reaction of acetic acid. In the presence of copper, mainly decarboxylation reaction of acetic acid took place, yielding large quantities of methane. Results proved that, 5% Ni impregnated 25Zr-MCM-41 was a highly promising catalytic material for hydrogen production through steam reforming of acetic acid.