Constructing MAX-derived atomically dispersed Ni-based catalysts for efficient bioethanol steam reforming

Abstract

Steam reforming of ethanol is an attractive route to utilize H₂O as a chemical feedstock with which to convert ethanol into high-quality hydrogen. However, Ni-based catalyst deactivation has always been a significant obstacle to its application. Herein, we constructed a series of 1Ni/MAX (Ti₃AlC₂, Ti₂VAlC₂, Ti₂TaAlC₂, Ti₂NbAlC₂, Mo₂TiAlC₂, and Cr₂TiAlC₂) and 1Ni/MXene (Ti₃C₂T_x, Ti₂VC₂T_x, Ti₂TaC₂T_x, Ti₂NbC₂T_x, Mo₂TiC₂T_x, and Cr₂TiC₂T_x) materials as robust catalysts for clarifying the effects of MAX/MXene supports on the SRE performance. Results demonstrate the hydrogen production rate and hydrogen utilization efficiency of 1Ni/MAX catalyst were significantly higher than those of 1Ni/MXene catalyst, demonstrating the promoting effect of Al on the ethanol conversion. The performance tests and characterization results indicate that Ni can readily form coordination complexes with Mo atoms. Furthermore, interfacial alloying effectively regulates the morphological distribution of Ni, facilitating a high dispersion of Ni atoms while simultaneously inhibiting their agglomeration. This work provides new implications for the development of three-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides as the supporting substrates of the catalysts.