ZrxPr1–xOy Solid Solution‐Supported Cobalt‐Based Catalysts for Hydrogen Production.

To obtain high yields of hydrogen, a series of ZrxPr1–xOy‐supported cobalt catalysts were synthesized by the sol‐gel method and tested in autothermal reforming (ATR) of acetic acid (HAc) derived from bio‐oil. X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, H2‐temperature‐programmed reduction, and thermogravimetric analysis were conducted to investigate the factors affecting the activities of the catalysts. Over the Co‐Zr‐Pr‐O catalyst, a ZrxPr1–xOy solid solution was formed after calcination; meanwhile, the active component of Co0 was highly dispersed over the solid solution after reduction in hydrogen for 1 h at 700 °C. As a result, stable reactivity was recorded in the ATR process of HAc: the hydrogen yield reached 2.58 molH2molHAc-1 with near 100 % HAc conversion, while better resistance to coking was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]