Study on the physicochemical properties of Fe/CeO2 catalysts as an effect from different iron loading

The use of catalyst in the biomass gasification is effective to elevate hydrogen content and to reduce tar
formation. This study presents the development of 2.5-10 wt%
Fe/CeO2 catalysts for biomass gasification to hydrogen. The
catalysts were prepared using incipient wetness impregnation
method. Different characterization methods such as Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Temperature Programmed Reduction(TPR), N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm and Field Emission
Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) were used to characterize the prepared catalysts. BET analysis clearly
indicates that Fe/CeO2 catalysts are mainly nonporous and the surface area of the catalysts increases with increasing of Fe loading. Characterization by XRD exhibited the formation of a solid solution of iron-cerium oxide, with the presence of cubic CeO2 structure which is in agreement with FESEM images. The TPR results show the emergence of two reduction peaks, corresponding to the surface and bulk reduction of CeO2 to Ce2O3. No distinct peak related to the reduction of Fe2O3 to Fe3O4, instead a shoulder evolved, related to the reduction of Fe3O4 to Fe.