A multifunctional core-shell nanoreactor with unique features of sintering resistance for high-performance ethanol steam reforming reaction

Ethanol steam reforming (ESR) has drawn great attention for sustainable H-2 production. Design active and sinter resistant nanocatalysts are critical issues for ESR reaction. Herein, a core-shell structured Pt-Cu@Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite for ESR reaction has been synthesized via a one-pot facile encapsulation strategy, which is featured by highly active and sintering resistance for ESR reaction. Structural and morphological characterizations revealed that each Pt-Cu@Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite contained a 3 nm Pt-Cu core and multiple Ni nanoparticles with diameters of around 3 nm anchored on the SiO2 shell. The Pt-Cu@Ni-SiO2 nanoreactor exhibited higher ethanol conversion (99.99%) and H-2 selectivity (70.32%) and an excellent stability with no loss of activity after 50 h of reaction at 450 degrees C. The advantages were originated from the ultra-small size of metal nanoparticles and the unique core-shell structure provides a great opportunity to give full play to the catalytic activity of active sites thus guaranteed excellent catalytic activity. Compared with the supported Pt-Cu@Ni-SiO2 catalyst, the Pt-Cu@Ni-SiO2 nanoreactor exhibit good stability and sintering resistance due to the encapsulation of the metal nanoparticles and the enhanced metal-support interaction. Thus, it is supposed that this type of catalyst opens a new strategy for the design of the ESR catalyst.