A multifunctional core–shell nanoreactor with unique features of sintering resistance for high-performance ethanol steam reforming reaction

Ethanol steam reforming (ESR) has drawn great attention for sustainable H 2 production. Design active and sinter resistant nanocatalysts are critical issues for ESR reaction. Herein, a core–shell structured Pt-Cu@Ni-SiO 2 nanocomposite for ESR reaction has been synthesized via a one-pot facile encapsulation strategy, which is featured by highly active and sintering resistance for ESR reaction. Structural and morphological characterizations revealed that each Pt-Cu@Ni-SiO 2 nanocomposite contained a 3 nm Pt-Cu core and multiple Ni nanoparticles with diameters of around 3 nm anchored on the SiO 2 shell. The Pt-Cu@Ni-SiO 2 nanoreactor exhibited higher ethanol conversion (99.99%) and H 2 selectivity (70.32%) and an excellent stability with no loss of activity after 50 h of reaction at 450 °C. The advantages were originated from the ultra-small size of metal nanoparticles and the unique core–shell structure provides a great opportunity to give full play to the catalytic activity of active sites thus guaranteed excellent catalytic activity. Compared with the supported Pt-Cu@Ni-SiO 2 catalyst, the Pt-Cu@Ni-SiO 2 nanoreactor exhibit good stability and sintering resistance due to the encapsulation of the metal nanoparticles and the enhanced metal-support interaction. Thus, it is supposed that this type of catalyst opens a new strategy for the design of the ESR catalyst.