Cobalt particle size effects on catalytic performance for ethanol steam reforming – Smaller is better

[Display omitted] •Turnover frequency increases with decreasing Co particle size.•Decreasing Co particle size led to a higher fraction of corner surface sites.•Decreasing Co particle size reduced the deactivation rate.•A lower amount of carbon deposition occurs on the smallest (10nm) Co particles. Therefore, it was concluded for this non-noble metal that the smallest particles perform best in catalysis of ethanol steam reforming.