Magnetic Inducement Utilization for Dopant Modification in Alumina Support for Ethanol Steam Reforming

This study investigates the influence of magnetic inducement during synthesis on the physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of doped Al₂O₃ supports for ethanol steam reforming (ESR). Supports modified with zirconium oxide (ZrO₂), cerium oxide (CeO₂), and Gd₂O₃-CeO₂ were synthesized under three magnetic configurationsno magnet, N-N, and N-Sand characterized using XRD, BET, TPD, TGA, and TEM-EDS techniques. The results show that magnetic inducement, particularly in the N-N configuration, significantly improves dopant dispersion and enhances oxygen storage capacity, especially in supports containing paramagnetic Ce³⁺ and Gd³⁺. Ni catalysts supported on Gd₂O₃-CeO₂-Al₂O₃ (N-N) exhibited the highest H₂ production rate (3.23 mol/h·g_cat at 600 °C) and the lowest carbon deposition, attributed to improved redox functionality, high surface area, and stable Ni dispersion. In contrast, ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ supports, containing diamagnetic Zr⁴⁺, were less responsive to magnetic inducement and demonstrated lower catalytic activity. These findings highlight the synergistic role of magnetic field-assisted synthesis and paramagnetic dopants in tuning catalyst supports, offering a promising strategy for enhancing hydrogen production and coke resistance in ESR applications.