Highly efficient low metal content Ni/CeO2 catalysts prepared by magnetron sputtering deposition for ethanol steam reforming reaction

We explored the impact of synthesis methods on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of Ni/ CeO2 catalysts for ethanol steam reforming (ESR). Sputtering (SP) deposition and incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) were employed to prepare the catalysts; detailed characterizations, including HRTEM, XPS, Raman spec-troscopy, and TPR analyses, revealed that the Ni/CeO2-SP catalyst exhibits a more uniform Ni nanoparticle distribution, stronger metal-support interactions, and more oxygen vacancies. The Ni/CeO2-SP catalyst demonstrated superior catalytic performance, with a hydrogen production rate of 8.1 L.h1.gcat1 (672 L.h1. gmetal1). Such results are superior to the observed in the literature, which can be related to the highly uniform Ni dispersion and low metal loading (1.0 wt%). Additionally, the synthesis method affected the type of coke deposition, which was also attested by theoretical calculation insights regarding their mechanism formation. Finally, we also observed differences in oxygen vacancy creation, indicating that the SP deposition method provides a more effective strateg