# Synergistic Ni–Cu/char bimetallic catalysts for enhanced hydrogen production from corn stover bio-oil via steam reforming

## TL;DR

This paper shows that using a Ni–Cu bimetallic catalyst improves hydrogen production from corn stover bio-oil while reducing carbon buildup.

## Contribution

The study introduces a synergistic Ni–Cu/char catalyst that enhances hydrogen yield and reduces coking during bio-oil steam reforming.

## Key findings

- Ni–Cu catalysts achieved ∼53% hydrogen yield and ∼78% feedstock conversion with low carbon deposition.
- Structural analysis confirmed preserved catalyst porosity and uniform metal dispersion after reactions.
- The synergy between Ni and Cu improves bond cleavage and mitigates carbon formation.

## Abstract

Catalytic steam reforming of biomass-derived bio-oil offers a promising route for renewable hydrogen production, yet catalyst deactivation and coke formation limit its practical application, particularly for complex whole bio-oils. Herein, hydrogen production from corn stover-derived whole bio-oil was investigated via an integrated fast pyrolysis-steam reforming process using char-supported Ni–Cu bimetallic catalysts. The optimized Ni–Cu composition exhibited enhanced hydrogen yield (∼53%) and feedstock conversion (∼78%), with low carbon deposition compared to monometallic counterparts. Elevated reforming temperatures promoted hydrocarbon cracking and suppressed coke formation. Long-term stability tests demonstrated sustained catalytic performance under steam oxygen reforming conditions. Structural characterization confirmed uniform metal dispersion and preserved catalyst porosity after reaction. The improved performance is attributed to the synergistic interaction between Ni, facilitating C–C bond cleavage, and Cu, enhancing water–gas shift activity and mitigating carbon deposition. These findings highlight the potential of char-supported Ni–Cu catalysts as a robust and coke-resistant system for scalable hydrogen production from real biomass-derived bio-oil.

Catalytic steam reforming of biomass-derived bio-oil offers a promising route for renewable hydrogen production, yet catalyst deactivation and coke formation limit its practical application, particularly for complex whole bio-oils.