Bimetallic catalysts have been widely exploited to improve the performance of various catalytic reactions. Understanding the surface properties and in particular, bimetallic interaction and support effect of the catalytic components is an important step towards rational catalyst design. In this thesis, Ni-Co thin film on polar ZnO single crystal was studied as a model catalyst for ethanol steam reforming reaction. The aim is to provide fundamental understanding of how the surface characteristics of the catalyst influence the mechanism and the efficiency of the reaction. This study focused firstly on the study of the interaction between Ni and Co in oxidative environment using Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). Oxidation of Co is favoured over nickel and the surface is enriched with cobalt oxide. Secondly, Ni-Co thin film supported on polar Zn and O terminated ZnOwas studied by synchrotron based PES. The as deposited layer interacts readily with ZnO and Co is partially oxidized upon deposition, even at room temperature. The interaction of ethanol with Ni- Co/ZnO-Zn was studied by thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). Ethanol decomposes in different pathways on Ni and Co, in which C-C bond scission and methane production are favoured on Ni/ZnO-Zn while dehydrogenation is favoured on Co/ZnO-Zn. Finally, Ni-Co powder was studied byin-situ ambient pressure PES under reaction conditions in order to clarify the correspondence between the active state of the catalyst and the reaction activity. The product selectivity on Co catalyst is distinctly different from Ni and Ni-Co. Also, the decomposition of methyl group and the high amount of CO produced over Co is likely to be the cause for its high level of carbon deposition.

Les catalyseurs bimétalliques sont reconnus pour promouvoir les performances de nombreuses réactions catalytiques. Les connaissances des propriétés de surface ; notamment l’interaction entre les couches bimétalliques et le support, composants catalytiques, servent à améliorer le design des catalyseurs. Dans cette thèse, le dépôt de couches minces Ni-Co sur un monocristal ZnO a été étudié en tant que catalyseur modèle pour le vapo-réformage de l’éthanol. L’objectif du travail estd’élargir les connaissances fondamentales de l’influence des propriétés de surface (i) sur le mécanisme et (ii) sur l’efficacité de la réaction. Dans un premier temps, l’interaction entre les atomes Ni et Co sous atmosphère oxydante par spectrométrie de photoélectrons de rayons X (XPS) a été étudiée. L’oxydation du Co est favorisée ; la surface est enrichie par CoO sur Ni. Ensuite, les couches minces de Ni-Co sur monocristal polaire ZnO, possédant deux terminaisons -O et –Zn, ont été étudiées par XPS couplé à un synchrotron. L’interaction métal-support a mis en évidence que Co est oxydé dès que celui-ci est déposé à température ambiante. L’interaction entre la molécule d’éthanol et le catalyseur Ni-Co/ZnO-Zn a été étudiée par spectrométrie de masse de thermodésorption (TDS). L’éthanol se décompose par différentes voies sur Ni/ZnO-Zn et Co/ZnOZn. Ni/ZnO-Zn favorise la rupture de la liaison C-C et permet la production de méthane, tandis que Co/ZnO-Zn favorise la déshydrogénation du méthyle. Enfin, nous avons étudié le vapo-réformage de l’éthanol sur les nanopoudres de Ni-Co in-situ par XPS à pression ambiante. La sélectivité en produits sur Co est très différente de celle du Ni et Ni-Co. De plus, la déshydrogénation du méthyle et la production de CO peut entrainer la formation d’une grande quantité de carbone sur Co / Bimetallic catalysts have been widely exploited to improve the performance of various catalytic reactions. Understanding the surface properties and in particular, bimetallic interaction and support effect of the catalytic components is an important step towards rational catalyst design. In this thesis, Ni-Co thin film on polar ZnO single crystal was studied as a model catalyst for ethanol steam reforming reaction. The aim is to provide fundamental understanding of how the surface characteristics of the catalyst influence the mechanism and the efficiency of the reaction. This study focused firstly on the study of the interaction between Ni and Co in oxidative environment using Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). Oxidation of Co is favoured over nickel and the surface is enriched with cobalt oxide. Secondly, Ni-Co thin film supported on polar Zn and O terminated ZnOwas studied by synchrotron based PES. The as deposited layer interacts readily with ZnO and Co is partially oxidized upon deposition, even at room temperature. The interaction of ethanol with Ni- Co/ZnO-Zn was studied by thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). Ethanol decomposes in different pathways on Ni and Co, in which C-C bond scission and methane production are favoured on Ni/ZnO-Zn while dehydrogenation is favoured on Co/ZnO-Zn. Finally, Ni-Co powder was studied byin-situ ambient pressure PES under reaction conditions in order to clarify the correspondence between the active state of the catalyst and the reaction activity. The product selectivity on Co catalyst is distinctly different from Ni and Ni-Co. Also, the decomposition of methyl group and the high amount of CO produced over Co is likely to be the cause for its high level of carbon deposition.