The effects of Pt addition to supported Ni catalysts on dry (CO2) reforming of methane to syngas

Abstract

Ni/CeZrO2 and Ni/Al2O3 catalysts promoted by Pt were explored for dry reforming of methane at temperatures ranging from 100°C to 800°C. Temperature programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature programmed reaction studies showed that Pt increases the reducibility of Ni-based monometallic catalysts. TPR studies suggested an alloy formation between Pt and Ni. The induction period with the Pt is much lower than on the Ni alone especially on the Al2O3. At lower temperatures, the Pt–Ni bimetallic catalyst showed slightly higher activity for hydrogen production during dry reforming of methane. Reaction investigations over alumina supported catalysts demonstrated a higher H2:CO ratio than ceria supported catalysts. A mechanism involving more steam reforming due to more water consumption is proposed for the reaction on alumina supported catalysts.