Particle size effects in Ru/CNF catalysts during supercritical water gasification of glycerol

Ru/CNF catalysts of different Ru nanoparticle (NP) sizes (0.9-2.7 nm) were assessed for their performance in continuous supercritical water gasification (SCWG) glycerol. A structure sensitivity was demonstrated, with high initial turnover frequencies (TOF) NPs smaller than 1.2 nm. Deactivation happens essentially through: 1) coking, which occurs more readily at low surface densities and is limited to nanometric layers, 2) sintering, led final NP ranging from 2 3 nm independent the catalyst loading (1 30 wt% Ru). correlation between TOF density atoms found, an optimal (0.4-0.7 atom Ru,sfc −2 ) resulting good steady-state TOFs, allowing longer lifetimes through delay coke formation. CNF as a support enables metal loadings performance, could help decreasing volume high-pressure vessels hence cost SCWG plants, making this technology even attractive. • Particles below 1.2nm shows higher starting intrinsic activity Correlation Coking layers strongest impact Ru(0) particle growth converges towards 2-3nm diameter Sintering nanoparticles only observed SCW presence organics