Catalytic tar removal using TiO2/NiWO4-Ni5TiO7 films

Abstract One-dimensional nickel catalysts are more promising than nickel powders for catalytic tar removal from biomass gasification, originating from their unique morphologies and higher specific surfaces. Herein, we demonstrate the application of a Ti supported multilayer system, namely a TiO 2 /NiWO 4 -Ni 5 TiO 7 film, for catalytic tar removal. This film is synthesized via plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) combined with subsequently impregnation and annealing. The surface morphology and the size of as-synthesized Ni 5 TiO 7 nanowires are determined mainly by used electrolytes during PEO processes. For catalytic tar removal, a fixed bed reactor is utilized and naphthalene is chosen as a model tar. This TiO 2 /NiWO 4 -Ni 5 TiO 7 film exhibits higher efficiency than thermal cracking as well as long-term stability towards catalytic steam reformation of naphthalene. A naphthalene conversion rate of 63% is achieved at 800 °C with a short residence time of 0.34 s and a high tar load of 75 g m N −3 . Such a TiO 2 -NiWO 4 /Ni 5 TiO 7 film is thus promising for future tar removal from biomass gasification in the industry.