Ni-based catalysts prepared for CO2 reforming and decomposition of methane

Methane dry reforming (MDR) and catalytic methane decomposition (CMD) are two promising processes for syngas and H-2 production, and the catalyst plays a crucial role in the two processes. Here nickel catalysts were prepared through two different routes (steam gasification (SG) method and impregnation-pyrolysis-reduction (IPR) method) and evaluated in MDR and CMD. The SG method displays an advantage of process intensification while the IPR method opens up new possibilities for synthesis of highly active and stable Ni catalysts with low nickel content (3.48 wt%). When cerium, magnesium, copper or sucrose was used as an addition agent of the catalyst, cerium and magnesium dopants can significantly enhance activity and stability of the catalysts from the SG method both in MDR and CMD. For comparison, sucrose is more efficient for the catalysts from the IPR method owing to the improved interfacial structure and interaction between metal and supports.