A study of the influence of the synthesis conditions upon the catalytic properties of Co/SiO2 or Co/Al2O3 catalysts used for ethanol steam reforming

Oxides of cobalt supported on various supports such as SiO2 and Al2O3 have been prepared by using incipient wetness technique (IMP), the sol-gel (SG) route and the combination of the two methods (ISG). The solids formed, after calcination of the corresponding precursors, were characterised by X-ray diffraction, BET area measurements, metal dispersion, and by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Using metal loading of 8%, a high catalytic activity was demonstrated for ethanol steam reforming. Products distribution of the reaction has been found to be dependent on the nature of the support and of the preparation method of the catalysts. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.