CATALYTIC HYDROGEL

A hydrogel is provided to retain a liquid phase catalyst in a contained state, suitable for low temperature, orientation independent reforming of hydrocarbon fuels. A hydrogel is composed of a network of hydrophilic polymer chains dispersed in a water based medium. The hydrophilic chains can take the form of a super absorbent polymer such as sodium polyacrylate, and the liquid phase is an aqueous hydrocarbon solution. The active reforming species is contained in the hydrogel, and takes the form of a ruthenium complex suitable for the active and selective generation of hydrogen at low temperature. The catalytic hydrogel can be used in multiple reforming cycles without regeneration. The catalytic hydrogel allows product reforming gases and/or vapors to escape while retaining liquid species within the polymer matrix, thus allowing fully orientation independent operation. The free movement of liquid species within the polymer matrix further acts to ensure an even composition of the hydrocarbon solution throughout the catalytic hydrogel. The resulting product gas stream is suitable for use in PEM fuel cell systems