Influence of Supports on the Catalytic Activity and Coke Resistance of Ni Catalyst in Dry Reforming of Methane

• Published in: Catalysts Vol. 12; no. 2; p. 216
• Main Authors: Song, Da Hye, Jung, Un Ho, Kim, Young Eun, Im, Hyo Been, Lee, Tae Ho, Lee, Ki Bong, Koo, Kee Young
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.02.2022
• Subjects: Alkaline earth metals; Aluminum oxide; Carbon dioxide; Catalysts; Catalytic activity; Chemical reactions; Chemisorption; Coke; coke resistance; dry reforming of methane; Emissions; Heat; Influence; Magnesium oxide; Metals; Methane; MgO-Al2O3; Ni catalyst; Nickel oxides; Reforming; Sintering; Solid solutions; Stability tests; syngas; Synthesis gas
• ISSN: 2073-4344; 2073-4344
• DOI: 10.3390/catal12020216

The dependence of the catalytic activity and coke resistance of Ni-based catalysts on the support type was investigated in the dry reforming of methane (DRM). Catalysts were prepared using incipient wetness impregnation and analyzed using ICP-OES, BET-BJH, XRD, H2-chemisorption, H2-TPR, and CO2-TPD. DRM was performed at 600–750 °C at 144,000 mL/gcat∙h of GHSV (CH4/CO2/N2 = 1/1/1). Ni/Al2O3 and Ni/MgO catalysts formed NiAl2O4 and NiO-MgO solid solutions, respectively, owing to strong binding between the metal and support. In contrast, MgO-Al2O3 and MgAl2O4 supports suppressed NiAl2O4 and NiO-MgO solid solution formation, due to Mg addition, with high metal dispersions of 4.6 and 6.6%, respectively. In the DRM reaction, the Ni/MgO-Al2O3 and Ni/MgAl2O4 catalysts showed high CH4 conversions of 78.1 and 76.8%, respectively, compared with Ni/Al2O3 and Ni/MgO at 750 °C. A stability test was performed at 600 °C for 20 h. A coke study of the spent catalysts was performed using SEM and TGA. Alkaline-earth metal-containing catalysts Ni/MgO-Al2O3 and Ni/MgAl2O4 with strong CO2 adsorption properties showed 20 wt% reduction in carbon deposition compared to commercial catalysts. Therefore, the support and basic properties of the catalyst significantly influenced the catalyst performance and coke resistance in the DRM.