Steam reforming of ethylene glycol over Ni-based catalysts: the effect of K

The effect of K on the activities of Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts in steam reforming of ethylene glycol was investigated. Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and co-precipitation methods. The addition of K was achieved using an incipient wetness impregnation method. The prepared catalysts were characterized by N₂ physisorption, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction, and scanning electron microscopy. Irrespective of the preparation method, the promotional effect of K was observed and the optimum K content (~5 wt%) was verified for K-promoted Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts. The addition of K to the Ni–Al₂O₃ catalyst prepared by co-precipitation led to higher catalytic activity than addition of K to the Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst prepared by incipient wetness impregnation.