Nano-MgO: novel preparation and application as support of Ni catalyst for CO 2 reforming of methane

Abstract

A novel preparation method for MgO nanocrystals was reported. This new method makes use of a conventional hydrogel of Mg(OH) 2 derived from inorganic magnesium chloride. A change to alcogel of the hydrogel by repeated wash with anhydrous ethanol followed by processing the alcogel at elevated temperature with flowing dry nitrogen under normal pressure leads to a good control of the sizes of MgO nanocrystals (10–12 nm) that are able to resist “sintering” up to 650°C without significant loss of the surface area. This alcogel-based normal-pressure processing proved to be superior to the high-pressure alcogel-supercritical drying synthesis of the nanocrystals. Primary application of the MgO nanocrystals for support of nickel catalyst was successful and gave promising results for highly active as well as very stable Ni/MgO catalysts for the dry reforming of methane to produce syngas.