Bimetallic Nanoparticle Catalysts for Reforming of Logistics Fuels

High efficiency, low pollution, and long lifetime make hydrogen-powered fuel cells desirable for portable power generation by the Army. However, it is impractical to transport hydrogen to where it is needed. Instead, reforming a transportable liquid fuel such as JP-8 or diesel fuel can produce the hydrogen for the fuel cell. Noble metal catalysts can speed this reforming, but they are expensive and easily deactivated by formation of carbon deposits, and by fuel contaminants such as sulfur. In Phase I, NanoScale Corporation and Kansas State University demonstrated the feasibility of Ni and Pt nanoparticles supported on nanocrystalline alumina, for reforming dodecane with high activity and selectivity. In Phase II, NanoScale and KSU will optimize the catalytic system, scale up the catalyst synthesis, and confirm its activity in the presence of sulfur, aromatics, naphthalenes, and JP-8. We will construct a prototype reactor, for delivery to the Army for their validation. NanoScale has great experience in synthesis, characterization, and manufacture of metal nanoparticles and nanocrystalline metal oxides, while Prof. Keith Hohn is an expert in catalytic systems for reforming hydrocarbons into hydrogen."