Brazilian Scientists Crack Cleaner Hydrogen Production from Ethanol
A Brazilian research team has made progress in producing hydrogen from ethanol using advanced ceramic catalysts. Led by Fabio Coral Fonseca, the group developed perovskite-type materials that improve efficiency in ethanol steam reforming. Their work could help turn sugarcane-based ethanol into a cleaner energy source for fuel and storage. The team at IPEN focused on perovskite oxides, embedding nickel into their crystal structure. This method allows tiny nickel particles to form on the surface, boosting the catalyst's performance. By adjusting the calcination temperature, they found that lower heat—around 650°C—kept particles small and increased surface area.
The best-performing catalyst achieved full ethanol conversion at this temperature. It also generated over four moles of hydrogen for every mole of ethanol used. The reaction itself breaks down ethanol and water into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, following the formula C₂H₅OH + 3 H₂O → 2 CO₂ + 6 H₂. Beyond steam reforming, the researchers are refining perovskite materials for direct ethanol fuel cells. Their latest approach uses pulsed laser deposition to create more precise, atomically engineered catalysts.
The new catalysts show strong stability and efficiency in hydrogen production from ethanol. As of March 2026, the IPEN team continues its work independently, with no publicly confirmed international partnerships. Their findings could support Brazil's use of sugarcane ethanol as a sustainable feedstock for clean energy applications.
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