The promotion effect of catalytic activity by Ru substitution at the B site of La_1-x Sr_x Cr_1-y Ru_y O _3-z for propane steam reforming

A series of La_1-x Sr_x Cr_1-y Ru_y O_3-δ (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5, 0.05 ≤ y ≤ 0.15) materials was prepared by the sol-gel method to develop alternative catalysts for propane steam reforming. Catalyst characteristics were evaluated using physicochemical methods including X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller methods, H ₂ temperature-programmed reduction, and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). Effects of the amount of ruthenium (Ru) and strontium and the steam-to-carbon ratio (S/C) were investigated. An increase in Ru content led to increased propane conversion and H₂ yield, especially below 700 °C. Dramatic enhancement of catalytic activity was observed with La _0.8Sr_0.2Cr_0.85Ru_0.15O₃ under 600 °C, achieving propane conversion over 79% between 600 and 800 °C with maximum propane conversion and H₂ yield of 98.3% and 63.3%, respectively. Also, good resistance to carbon formation for the La _0.8Sr_0.2Cr_0.85Ru_0.15O₃ catalyst was confirmed by long-term testing and TGA analysis.