Development of non-noble-metal catalysts using biomass-derived carbon for biohydrogen production

2022 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22F30353
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: 冨重 圭一 東北大学, 工学研究科, 教授 (50262051)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): GAI CHAO 東北大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 外国人特別研究員
• Project Period (FY): 2022-07-27 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: バイオマス / 水蒸気改質 / バイオチャー / 触媒 / タール

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Catalytic steam reforming (SR) of abundant, inexpensive and renewable biomass-derived oxygenates (e.g., carboxylic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, alcohols) or from the gasification of waste biomass could help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The development of heterogeneous catalysts for efficient SR, especially under harsh conditions, still remains a challenging goal. According to the research plan of first year, we deployed a series of biochar-based nanocatalysts towards a model reaction of steam reforming of methanol (SRM). As a proof of concept, we set out to explore, for the first time, a simple yet effective bifunctional system for SRM under harsh conditions. The combinations to achieve best SRM performance were successfully screened. Encourage results were obtained with bimetallic systems with Ni-rich ones, and the effective compositions were determined. Very high hydrogen formation rate was obtained with the catalyst. After this, we unambiguously demonstrate the synergistic interactions of selected active metals as well as the unique role of the biochar support. More so, we anticipate this unequivocally result to be of general validity and interest in diverse steam reforming process.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

Dr. Gai started the research in Japan smoothly under new environments, for all types of experiments including preparation of catalyst material and using instruments. Reaction tests of steam reforming reactions of methanol with various catalysts using biochar-based supports were successfully carried out in accordance with the original plan. A promising catalyst was found in this year, and the work will yield journal papers after addition of data. The current status is within the expected scenario.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

Despite encouraging results obtained on the first fiscal year, the structure-property relationship of biochar-based nanocatalyst towards steam reforming of methanol remains elusive. As such, the reaction mechanism will be interrogated in detail in next year. Expediently, the advantages of the deployed biochar-based catalysts pertain to the steam reforming of different substrates (e.g., toluene) will be further corroborated. This work is expected to advance studies of steam reforming processes and more importantly, enables the efficient conversion of waste biomass into value-added biofuels.