Solution combustion synthesis of active catalysts for hydrogen production from ethanol

Abstract

Solution combustion synthesis method was used to synthesize Cu and Ni based catalysts active for hydrogen production from ethanol decomposition reaction. The catalyst synthesis parameters (such as fuel to oxidizer ratio, combustion temperature) were monitored and correlated with the synthesized materials properties. A thermodynamic calculation was also conducted to get product distribution during ethanol decomposition reaction. The amount of fuel content in the combustion solution was found to greatly affect the phase of the synthesized catalyst. Catalysts were characterized by other methods such as XRD and their activity for ethanol decomposition reaction and hydrogen selectivity.