New material as Ni-support for hydrogen production by ethanol conversion

This work reports on the possibility to use a new class of materials as Ni-supports for catalytic production of hydrogen. This new materials are named geopolymers and they are amorphous or semi-crystalline aluminosilicate synthesized as monoliths. The manufacture of geopolymers has many benefits being low-cost, environmental friendly, energy-saving, and resource-recycling. Furthermore, they possess mesoporosity, good resistance to high temperatures and chemicals, high strength and ion exchange properties. Ni-based catalyst using geopolymer as support shows complete catalytic conversion of ethanol in three different reactions (reforming, autothermal reforming, and partial oxidation) and high hydrogen content in the final products (70%).