Abstract
Abstract Mesoporous MgAl2O4 + LnFe0.7Ni0.3O3 (Ln = La, Pr) nanocomposites were prepared by a cost-effective one-pot procedure with the Pluronic P123 copolymer and Ni + Ru active components were supported on them by wet impregnation. The real structure of samples was studied by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, surface properties were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed CO, reactivity was evaluated by temperature programmed reduction by H2, and catalytic activity was tested in ethanol steam reforming (ESR). Disordering of the real structure of nanocomposite supports due to incorporation of transition metal cations into MgAl2O4 results in the development of a metal–support interface and domination of single surface metal centers. This provides a high catalytic activity in the ESR reaction in the intermediate temperature range ∼550°C, close to that of the best known catalysts, and stability to coking. A higher activity for the Pr-containing catalyst is provided by the high reactivity of surface oxygen species bound with Pr cations.