Preparation and Characterization of Co-Fe/Al203 Catalyst for Steam Reforming of Ethanol

Steam reforming of ethanol has been studied using various catalysts. Bi-metallic
catalysts which are Cobalt and Iron supported on Aluminium Oxide is one of the
candidates for steam reforming of ethanol that is capable to produce hydrogen. Iron
loading on Cobalt had a positive effect on promotion of the catalytic activity of steam
reforming of ethanol. The combination of Cobalt and Iron gives high stability, longer
lifetime and resulted as active metal. The catalyst was prepared using incipient wetness
method, with sequential impregnation, co-impregnation and different molar ratio. The
precursor was impregnated for 6 hours, dried for 16 hours, calcined at 500°c for 16
hours and have characterized using XRD, SEM and BET. The XRD pattern obtained
was compared to analyze the crystalline phase observed in the samples. Result of high
intensity of the peak is due to the overlapping of metal with the support catalyst. The
SEM micrographs indicate that the alumina is crystalline with a well- defined plane
exposed and that both metals coated on the support surface uniformly. From BET, the
catalyst surface area and dispersion are shown as functions of metal loading for the
various series ofimpregnation and ratio.