The goal was to develop active and stable catalysts for biomass-derived syngas stream reforming. Rh and Ir were chosen due to their high methane reforming (SMR) activity, resistance to sintering and increased resistance to deactivation from carbon deposition.  Catalysts supported on MgAl2O4 and g-Al2O3 were aged in simulated SMR tests to determine the sintering rate. Fundamental understanding of metal sintering through metal/support interactions was probed through the application of ab initio computational calculations on Rh and Ir clusters supported on MgAl2O4 and alumina.  Very small Rh and Ir clusters were formed on MgAl2O4. These highly dispersed nanoparticles present excellent activity for SMR.  Excellent dispersion was maintained even when operating at 850�C.  In contrast, Ir and Rh catalysts supported on Al2O3 were observed to sinter at an increased rate when applied in an identical system. Combined experimental and computational insights offer enhanced understanding of the metal/support interactions that affect the rate of sintering.

Highly active and stable Ir/MgAl2O4 and Rh/MgAl2O4 catalysts for tar and methane steam reforming: A combined theoretical and experimental study

245th National Meeting (2013)

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