Hydrogen production from biomass woodchips using Ni/CaO–ZrO2 catalysts

Abstract

This work aimed at the determination of the influence of various types of lignocellulosic biomass on the performance of Ni/ZrO2 catalyst modified by CaO in the production of hydrogen rich gas from lignocellulosic feedstock. The catalysts were prepared by co-impregnation and sequential impregnation methods. The catalytic activity of the synthesized materials was examined in the high temperature conversion of cellulose (model compound) and real biomass samples—woodchips from pine, beech, birch and poplar. The surface properties of Ni/CaO–ZrO2 catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF–SIMS), thermogravimetric analysis (TG–DTA–MS) and BET methods. The obtained results revealed that an incorporation of calcium into the structure of the catalyst led to a decrease in the coke formation rate on its surface. Moreover, the influence of the preparation method on the material composition and related properties was demonstrated.