Synthesis and characterization of nickel-cobalt oxide for ethanol decomposition

Abstract

In this work we use combustion synthesis method to prepare cobalt catalysts which have been reported to be active for ethanol-hydrogen production. This work focuses primarily on understanding the reaction mechanism leading to various products using in situ DRIFTS studies. Bimetallic NiCo were synthesized from the aqueous solution of nickel nitrate (Ni(NO3)2?6H2O), cobalt nitrate (Co(NO3)2?6H2O) and glycine (C2H5NO2) in solution combustion synthesis (SCS) method using various fuel to oxidizer ratio. Time temperature profile of the synthesis was recorded using high speed data logger during combustion. A correlation between combustion temperature profile and fuel to oxidizer ratio is established to understand the effect of synthesis conditions to the expected nanomaterials properties. These materials are tested for ethanol hydrogen production, primarily focusing on the decomposition mechanism on Ni, Co and NiCo bimetal catalysts using an in-situ DRIFTS analysis. Other characterizations include XRD, SEM, TEM and XPS for bulk and surface analysis of the nanomaterials synthesized.