Hydrogen Production on Metal-Ceramic Micro-Structured Catalysts for Fuel Cell Applications

The heat and mass transfer properties of heterogeneous catalysts and their intrinsic kinetics are important factors that impact the performance of heterogeneous catalysts in practical applications. Such properties are crucial to the catalytic micro-reactors for hydrogen production for fuel cells, because the systems require intensive heat and mass flux for rapid process response under frequent daily start-up and shutdown (DSS) operation. In this work, we will present (i) the facile synthesis methods for core-shell metal-ceramic micro-composites with unique structural and catalytic properties and (ii) their catalyst applications in hydrogen production for fuel cells. Glycerol steam reforming to hydrogen on these catalysts was studied, which is an effective hydrogen production method for fuel cells utilizing a renewable biodiesel by-product.