Microalgae gasification over Ni loaded perovskites for enhanced biohydrogen generation.

Steam gasification of microalgae upon perovskite oxide-supported nickel (Ni) catalysts was carried out for H-rich gas production. Ni-perovskite oxide catalysts with partial substitution of B in perovskite structures (Ni/CaZrO, Ni/Ca(ZrTi)O, and Ni/Ca(ZrTi)O) were synthesized and compared with those of the Ni/AlO catalyst. The perovskite oxide supports improved Ni dispersion by reducing the particle size and strengthening the Ni-support interaction. Higher gas yields and H selectivity were obtained using Ni-perovskite oxide catalysts rather than Ni/AlO. In particular, Ni/Ca(ZrTi)O showed the highest activity and selectivity for H production because of the synergetic effect of metallic Ni and elements present in the perovskite structures caused by high catalytic activity coupled with enhanced oxygen mobility. Moreover, increasing the temperature promoted the yield of gas and H content. Overall, considering the outstanding advantages of perovskite oxides as supports for Ni catalysts is a promising prospect for H production via gasification technology.