Highly active and stable Ni/ZrO 2 catalyst for syngas production by CO 2 reforming of methane

Abstract

CO 2 reforming of CH 4 was studied at 1030 K over Ni/ZrO 2 catalysts with different preparations. It was shown that catalytic stability depends greatly on the preparation method of the support precursor. The catalyst prepared by impregnation of ultra-fine Zr(OH) 4 (6 nm) particles with nickel nitrate showed high and extremely stable activity for syngas production. In contrast, the nickel catalyst prepared using bigger Zr(OH) 4 particles deactivated rapidly. Also, the nickel catalyst made from co-precipitation of ultra-fine nickel–zirconium hydroxide (7 nm) was not resistant to coke deposition during the reaction.