Bimetallic Ni–Cu Catalysts for the Low-Temperature Ethanol Steam Reforming: Importance of Metal–Support Interactions

The activity of bimetallic Ni–Cu catalysts in ethanol steam reforming was evaluated and compared to the activity of the corresponding monometallic Ni catalyst. Copper addition positively affected the catalytic activity only if the proper metal–support interactions, as well as the proper ratio between the different reducible species, were maintained. This target can be pursued by tuning the synthesis conditions