Effect of Ni NP morphology on catalyst performance in non-thermal plasma-assisted dry reforming of methane

Abstract

Supported nickel nanoparticle catalysts, with differing nickel morphologies, were studied in the non-thermal-plasma-promoted dry reforming of methane. Catalysts with nickel particles containing a greater ratio of (111) lattice planes and surface structures in the nanoscale, i.e. dendritic and flake-like particles, showed higher conversions and yields (CH4 conversions of 65 % and 22 % and CO2 conversions of 43 % and 33 % respectively with H2 yields of 42 % and 34 % and CO yields of 31 % and 24 % respectively) than spherical analogues which had conversions of 26 % (CH4) and 16 % (CO2) and yields of 21 % (H2) and 11 % (CO). This is thought to be related to the favourability of (111) faces for CH4 dissociation and the potential for the formation of micro-discharges around their small surface features. All materials tested showed higher CH4 conversion and H2 production when compared with reactions carried out in the absence of a catalyst. The latter reactions showed a greater extent of competing side reactions, resulting in lower conversions and yields.