Catalytic steam reforming of biomass over Ni-based catalysts: Conversion from poplar leaves to hydrogen-rich syngas

A series of Ni/SBA-15 catalysts with Ni contents from 5 wt%–20 wt%and CaO-12.5%Ni/SBA-15 catalysts with CaO contents from 1.4 wt%– 9.8 wt%have been prepared.The structure of the catalysts was characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD),N2 adsorption-desorption,transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The performance of catalytic steam reforming of the poplar leaves to the hydrogen-rich syngas was tested in a fixed-bed reactor.The results indicate that the 7.0wt%CaO-12.5wt%Ni/SBA-15 catalyst exhibits the best performance for the catalytic steam reforming of poplar leaves to hydrogen-rich syngas.The ratio of H2:CO can reach ca 5:1 in the hydrogen-rich syngas.The yield of H2 can reach 273.30 mL/g(poplar leaves).In the CaO-Ni/SBA-15 catalyst,Ni active component mainly fills the role of catalytic steam reforming of the poplar leaves,and CaO active component mainly plays the role as water-gas shift and CO2 sorbent.