Template-free synthesis of mesoporous γ-alumina-supported Ni–Mg oxides and their catalytic properties for prereforming liquefied petroleum gas

Abstract

Mesoporous γ-alumina (γ-MA)-supported Ni–MgO catalysts were first prepared through one-pot hydrolysis of inorganic salts without surfactants and used for the prereformation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The influence of MgO addition on catalyst structure, surface characteristics, distribution of Ni species, and reducibility of Ni2+ ions was investigated in detail. The prepared Ni–MgO/γ-MA catalysts possessed wormhole-like mesoporous structures with large surface areas, narrow pore size distributions, and metallic Ni nanoparticles f homogeneously dispersed in γ-MA frameworks. The results showed that MgO could improve catalyst surface basicity and lower metallic Ni particle sizes, resulting in significant enhancements in the activity, stability, and resistance to coke deposition for the prereformation of LPG. Comparative investigation of the prereformation of LPG over Ni–MgO/Al2O3 catalysts obtained by different routes revealed that the high stability and coke resistance ability were mainly due to the formation of smaller metallic Ni nanoparticles and stable support structures.