Ni based catalysts promoted with cerium used in the steam reforming of toluene for hydrogen production

Abstract Ni x Mg 6−x Al 1.8 Ce 0.2 (with 0 ≤ x ≤ 6) mixed oxides catalysts were prepared by hydrotalcite route. All the oxides were calcined at 800 °C and characterized by different physico-chemical methods. The catalysts are then reduced before their use in the steam reforming of toluene. The XRD and TG/DTA confirmed the formation of the hydrotalcite structure for the non-calcined samples. The N 2 adsorption/desorption results revealed that all catalysts correspond to mesoporous materials. The study by temperature programmed reduction (H 2 -TPR) showed that the reducibility of the catalysts is influenced by the nickel content. The CO 2 -TPD results showed that the catalyst with high magnesium content present the highest basicity. The Ni 2 Mg 4 Al 1.8 Ce 0.2 shows the best toluene conversion among all the catalysts and it was then compared to a non-promoted catalyst. The spent catalysts were characterized by TPO, TG/DTA and XRD and they didn't reveal any coke formation.