Tuning the metal-support interaction of methane tri-reforming catalysts for industrial flue gas utilization

Abstract

This study investigates the role of metal-support interaction (MSI) in the performance of Ni/TiO2, Ni/SBA-15, Ni/MgO, and Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for the tri-reforming of methane (TRM) reaction. To impart weak metal-support interaction (WMSI), the catalysts were calcined at 400 °C. While calcination at 850 °C or above temperature generated strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) in each catalyst. The experimental results reveal that Ni/TiO2 and Ni/MgO catalysts having WMSI displayed high initial activity due to the higher extent of reduction and Ni dispersion. However, these catalysts deactivated during 10 h reaction run. On the other hand, the performances of Ni/TiO2 and Ni/MgO catalysts having SMSI were unsatisfactory. For Ni/SBA-15 catalyst system, catalysts having weaker MSI were more active than the catalyst having stronger MSI. However, the stability of Ni/SBA-15 catalysts was governed by Ni confinement in the pores of SBA-15 rather than the strength of MSI. Ni/Al2O3 having SMSI had monodispersed Ni atoms in close association with Al2O3, which resulted in higher reforming activity compared to that of Ni/Al2O3 having WMSI. Overall, the present study asserts that the strength of MSI has a significant influence on the activity and stability of methane tri-reforming catalysts; however, the suitability of either strong or weak MSI is subject to catalyst composition.