Fabrication of Ni-Based Bimodal Porous Catalyst for Dry Reforming of Methane

Abstract

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) can effectively convert two greenhouse gases into high-valued chemicals, in which the syngas produced by the reaction can be directly used as raw gases for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and methanol synthesis. Ni-based catalysts for the DRM reaction with comparable initial activity to noble metals are the focus of most researchers, but their poor carbon deposition resistance easily causes their low stability. More importantly, the nickel loading will affect the catalytic activity and carbon deposition resistance of the catalyst. Herein, a series of Ni/Al2O3 catalysts with bimodal pores was prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physical adsorption–desorption, H2-temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), temperature programmed hydrogenation (TPH), Raman, and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The results show that the interesting bimodal structure catalysts could provide a high surface area and contribute to the mass transfer. Besides, the catalytic performance of the DRM reaction is sensitive to nickel loadings. In this study, the Ni/Al2O3 catalyst with nickel loadings of 6% and 8% exhibited excellent catalytic activity and carbon deposition resistance. These findings will provide a new strategy to design a highly efficient and stable heterogeneous catalyst for industry.