Ni nanoparticles supported on carbon as efficient catalysts for steam reforming of toluene(model tar)

This paper investigated the influences of surface properties of carbon support and nickel precursors(nickel nitrate, nickel chloride and nickel acetate) on Ni nanoparticle sizes and catalytic performances for steam reforming of toluene. Treatment with nitric acid helped to increase the amount of functional groups on the surface and hydrophilic nature of carbon support, leading to a homogeneous distribution of Ni nanoparticles. The thermal decomposition products of nickel precursor also played an important role, Ni nanoparticles supported on carbon treated with acid using nickel nitrate as the precursor exhibited the smallest mean diameter of 4.5 nm. With the loading amount increased from 6 wt% to 18 wt%, the mean particle size of Ni nanoparticles varied from4.5 nm to 9.1 nm. The as-prepared catalyst showed a high catalytic activity and a good stability for toluene steam reforming: 98.1% conversion of toluene was obtained with the Ni content of 12 wt% and the S/C ratio of3, and the conversion only decreased to 92.0% after 700 min. Because of the high activity, good stability, and low cost, the as-prepared catalyst opens up new opportunities for tar removing.