Effect of Modified Nanoclay Surface Supported Nickel Catalyst on Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane

Abstract

The activity and stability of modified nanoclays surface supported nickel (Ni/NC-x) catalyst were investigated and compared to unmodified nanoclay surface supported nickel (Ni/NC) catalyst in dry reforming reaction (500–800 °C). The nickel metal was loaded on modified nanoclay surface with different alkylammonium modifiers—trimethylstearyl ammonium (NC-T), methyl dihydroxy-ethyl hydrogenated tallow ammonium (NC-M), aminopropyltriethoxysilane and octadecylamine (NC-A), and dimethyl dialkyl amine (NC-D) by using the impregnation method. As a results, the surface area and pore volume of Ni/NC-x catalysts were 1.70–3.96 and 2.33–4.33 times higher than that of Ni/NC catalyst, respectively. A longer chain of alkylammonium ions of modifier enhanced the intercalation of the modifier molecules into the interlayer of the nanoclay. Among these catalysts, the highest surface area of Ni/NC-T catalyst could facilitate the Ni metal dispersion and smaller size of NiO, resulting in the stronger interaction between Ni and NC-T support. It then gave the highest CO2 and CH4 conversions and H2/CO ratio. In addition, H2 and CO yields of Ni/NC-T catalyst were 1.21 and 1.20 times higher than that of Ni/NC catalyst, respectively. Moreover, the modified nanoclays surface supported nickel catalyst could reduce the carbon formation during the reaction.