Supported Ni catalyst made by electroless Ni-B plating for diesel autothermal reforming

ABSTRACTCexGd1-xO2-δ (CGO)-supported Ni nano grains were prepared initially by electrolessly depositing Ni-B alloy nano particles onto an activated carbon (AC). The as-deposited Ni-B particles were then transferred from AC to CGO through the metallo-organic precursor approach. The resultant Ni/CGO catalysts displayed excellent catalytic activity and chemical stability against coking and sulfur poisoning in catalyzing autothermal reforming (ATR) of a surrogate diesel fuel, comprising dodecane, tetralin and a substituted thiophene. For comparison purpose, a Ni/CGO catalyst prepared by the conventional impregnation method was employed in the same ATR system. These two catalytic systems exhibited rather discrepant outcomes. It was found that the Ni(B)/CGO catalyst was capable of repressing selectivity of ethylene during the reforming process. In addition to this, CGO played a critical role in thermal cracking hydrocarbon chains and inhibiting sulfur poisoning.