Auto-thermal reforming of acetic acid for hydrogen production by ZnxNiyCrOm±δ catalysts: Effect of Cr promoted Ni-Zn intermetallic compound

A series of ZnxNiyCrOm±δ catalysts were synthesized via a typical co-precipitation method, in which Zn-Cr layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were found and Ni-Zn intermetallic compound (IMC) was formed after reduction in hydrogen. During auto-thermal reforming (ATR) of acetic acid (HAc), the Ni-Zn IMC was transformed into Ni/(amorphous-ZnO)-ZnCr2O4 species with uniformed distribution and appropriate interaction within these Ni-Zn-Cr-O species; besides, the adsorbed oxygen promoted the activation and transfer of oxygen species; therefore, deactivation by oxidation, sintering and coking was inhibited. And the optimized Zn2.37Ni0.63CrO4.5±δ catalyst presented high activity and stability in a 45-h ATR test with HAc conversion near 100% and hydrogen yield at 2.7 mol-H2/mol-HAc, showing potential for hydrogen production via ATR of HAc.