Aqueous nickel(II) hydroxycarbonate instead of nickel(0) colloids as precursors of stable Ni-silica based catalysts for the dry reforming of methane

Abstract

Nickel(II) hydroxycarbonate colloids were synthesized in water by the reaction of nickel(II) with carbonate in the presence of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. Then, they were dispersed onto SBA-15 affording, after calcination and reduction, a supported 3 wt% nickel(0) catalyst for the dry reforming of methane (DRM). This material, compared to reference ones obtained by impregnation, either by organic Ni(0) colloids or by aqueous nickel(II), was characterized by small nickel nanoparticles leading to improved activity and stability. Such use of aqueous nickel(II) hydroxycarbonate colloids instead of organic Ni(0) ones synthesized with harmful reagents is a new and a more efficient and environment-friendly approach.