Dry reforming of methane: Advances in coke mitigation strategies via siliceous catalyst formulations

Abstract

Coke formation through thermal decomposition of methane at high temperatures is inevitable and thermodynamically favorable in dry reforming of methane (DRM), resulting in low catalytic activity and stability via quick catalyst deactivation. Owing to this, formidable catalysts design through kinetic dominance to mitigate carbon deposition is necessary to upgrade the DRM reaction for industrial feasibility. This review explores the importance of different supports and promoters, especially the silica and porous alumino-silicates (zeolites) towards kinetic coke mitigation in DRM catalysts. Generally, support is used to clutch the active species, affords them with high specific surface area and porosity, improve the dispersion and size-reduction, prevent agglomeration and sintering, increase basicity or acidity (as the case may be), improve the thermal and mechanical stability for efficient catalyst performance and stability. Furthermore, the kinetics feasibility of different rate-determining steps presented in literature based on the widely used Power Law (PL), Eley-Rideal, and Langmuir-Hinshelwood (LH) models for DRM reactions is thoroughly discussed. The insights into future trend and outlook towards remedying carbonized emissions and valorization purposes are highlighted. This review will greatly be useful for research studies related to the DRM for effective catalysts design that meet industrial conditions.