Ni/ZrO2 catalysts in ethanol steam reforming: Inhibition of coke formation by CaO-doping

In this work the performance of CaO-doped Ni/ZrO2catalysts in ethanol steam reforming was studied.The addition of CaO did not affect the morphology or the crystalline structure of the support. On thecontrary, Ni reducibility markedly increased. Moreover, the Lewis acidity of zirconia gradually decreasedas the CaO content increased, thus inhibiting coke deposition and improving the carbon balance. Theaddition of a basic oxide helps to prevent some of the side reactions responsible for coke formation anddeposition, that can gradually deactivate the catalyst.