Heterogeneous Catalysis for Hydrogen Production

Hydrogen is poised as one of the main energy carriers in the future, in particular if ways of making it from renewable sources are made available using reliable technologies. This chapter deals with heterogeneous catalytic systems for making hydrogen from ethanol, a biorenewable source. The two main methods for making hydrogen are discussed: oxidation and reforming. The catalytic role is also discussed in terms of its components with emphasis on noble metals deposited over nanoparticles of cerium oxide, one of the most active catalysts for this reaction.