Ni supported on desilicated HZSM-5 as catalyst for biogas reforming

Abstract

In this study, Ni/HZSM-5 catalysts containing 3.0 and 5.0 wt% of Ni were used to produce hydrogen-rich streams through the dry reforming of methane, with biogas serving as the raw material. The effect of a desilication treatment on catalyst performance was evaluated. The removal of Si resulted in an increase in mesoporous volume. Moreover, in situ XANES and in situ XRD analyses revealed the formation of Ni2+ species with lower reducibility for desilicated samples. This was likely attributed to the presence of Ni2+ species confined within mesopores, promoting metal-support interaction, which leads to a higher metal dispersion, after reduction. The presence of small Ni particles resulted in a higher methane conversion and a low carbon formation during dry reforming of methane, regardless of nickel content.