Experimental Methods

Catalytic Test
The reforming reaction was carried out in a fixed bed tubular reactor at 500 ºC, using 100 mg of catalyst
(0.25 - 0.45 mm) and feed flow rate (ethanol - water) of 0.05 ml/min, molar ratio of 1/6. All the catalysts
were in situ activated under flowing pure oxygen (100 mlN/min) in helium at 500 ºC for 1 hour. The
analysis of the obtained reaction products was continuously performed using a gas chromatograph (Varian
3400 CX) coupled in series with the reactor setup.[1]

Results and Discussion

Figure 1 shows the evolution of hydrogen yield and carbonaceous products during the reforming reaction.
It observed that the catalyst with a higher proportion of samarium achieves a higher hydrogen yield
(approximately 70%) and improves its stability over time. Regarding the carbonaceous products, as the
proportion of Sm2O3 increases, the yield of carbon-promoting products (ethylene and acetone) decreases.

The increase in acetaldehyde yield and the simultaneous decrease in acetone indicate the loss of activity
of basic sites where acetone formed. From 399 minutes of reaction, the acetaldehyde yield remains stable,
this is produced and consumed at the same rate.

The initial yield of ethylene decreases over time, and since no growth in ethane is observed, it suggests
that ethylene is polymerizing to form coke, which is consistent with the loss of catalyst activity.

Figure 1. Product yields as a function of reaction time in ethanol steam reforming at 500ºC.

Conclusion
The presence of samarium oxide on the catalyst surface promotes the appearance of active basic sites,
which lead to the formation of acetone.The Ni/9Ce1Sm and Ni/8Ce2Sm catalysts exhibit good hydrogen
yield and ethanol conversion but have low catalytic stability.

Reference

[1] K. Boudadi, A. Bellifa, C. Márquez-Álvarez, V. Cortés Corberán, Nickel catalysts promoted

with lanthanum for ethanol steam reforming: Influence of support and treatment on
activity, Applied Catalysis A: General. 619 (2021) 118141.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2021.118141.