Ethanol dehydrogenation mechanism on cuni catalysts for hydrogen production

Abstract

Ethanol dehydrogenation mechanism was investigated over catalysts containing Cu and Ni metals prepared by solution combustion synthesis. In situ DRIFTS studies were conducted on individual metals (Cu and Ni) as well as on CuNi alloy to understand the metal-metal interaction in bimetallic systems and their implications on reaction pathway. The catalyst synthesis parameters (such as fuel to oxidizer ratio, combustion temperature) were monitored and correlated with the synthesized materials properties. The amount of fuel content in the combustion solution was found to greatly affect the phase and microstructure of the synthesized catalysts. A change in reaction pathway was clearly observed over Cu and Ni catalysts. Cu mainly favors synthesis of acetaldehyde and acetate whereas Ni and CuNi both showed more tendency towards methane and carbon monoxide formation.