Effect of metal addition to Ni/CeO2 catalyst on the steam reforming reaction of methane

Abstract

In this study, the effect of metal addition (V, Co, Cu, Mo, or W) to Ni/CeO2 catalyst on the steam reforming reaction of methane was investigated. The addition of Cu, Mo, or W resulted in decreased catalytic activity. The catalytic activity of the Co added catalyst was not largely affected compared with that of the Ni/CeO2 catalyst. Meanwhile, the addition of V increased the catalytic activity in the steam reforming reaction of methane. Therefore, the V added catalyst was analyzed in detail. Ni–V mixed oxide formation was confirmed in the prepared state. After reduction, it was presumed that the Ni–V mixed oxide was transformed into Ni and the oxide of V. The V oxide was present near the metal-state Ni. The Ni metal phase derived from the Ni–V mixed oxide may contribute to the positive effect of V addition to the Ni/CeO2 catalyst on the steam reforming reaction. Moreover, changing the support to gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) confirmed the positive effect of V addition. In particular, the Ni–V/GDC catalyst enabled near-equilibrium CH4 conversions even at low temperatures of 600–700 °C.