Development of core-shell catalysts for ethanol steam reforming reaction

• Grant number: 19/15110-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: February 01, 2020
• End date: January 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Estevam Vitorio Spinacé
• Grantee: Tamara Siqueira Moraes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 14/09087-4 - Studies on the use of bioethanol in proton exchange membrane and solid oxide fuel cells, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/12459-4 - Improvements in the performance of metal-modified zeolite catalysts for ethanol upgrading reactions, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Growing concern about reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants has intensified the interest in the use of fuel cells for the generation of energy. In this scenario, hydrogen, if produced from renewable sources, can contribute to the sustainable production of energy, since it can be converted electrochemically into energy in a fuel cell, aiming at the production of electricity for various applications, such as electronic devices laptops, vehicles and homes. Hydrogen can be produced from the steam reforming of biomass-derived liquids such as bioethanol. The steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production has a number of advantages. However, one of the main barriers to the commercialization of this technology is the deactivation of the catalysts due to the formation of carbon. Therefore, the development of catalysts that are stable and resistant to carbon formation is necessary. Several strategies have been used to avoid the deposition of carbon on the surface of the catalysts. The aim of the present project is synthesis of structurally modified catalysts in the form of a core shell to inhibit the formation of carbon and increase the stability of the catalysts in the steam reforming of ethanol reaction. This new form of catalyst synthesis has proved very efficient in other reactions but is still very little studied in the ethanol steam reforming reaction. (AU)