Nickel Crystallites Research Articles

Does the active surface area determine the activity of silica supported nickel catalysts in CO2 methanation reaction?

Two series of silica supported catalysts with comparable nickel contents varying from 2.5 to 20 wt.% were prepared by wet impregnation method in the absence and presence of citric acid in the impregnation solution. Temperature-programmed reduction, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy studies indicated changes of reducibility of nickel oxide species in the corresponding catalysts and formation of nickel nanoparticles of different size and morphology. A gradual increase in the performance of catalysts in the CO2 methanation reaction was observed with increasing Ni loading. The application of a modified impregnation method led to a reduction in the size of the nickel crystallites, which increased the active surface area of the catalysts, improving their activity and selectivity towards methane at low temperatures, as well as their stability at high temperatures. It was shown that the high active surface area of silica-supported nickel catalysts, due to the presence of small crystallites, is a key factor in increasing their activity. However, other catalyst properties may also play an important role. Hydrogen temperature-programmed desorption and in-situ DRIFTS adsorption/desorption of CO, CO2 and CO2 hydrogenation reaction studies indicated that modification of the method of catalyst synthesis led to changes in the surface properties of the catalysts, affecting the way CO2 and H2 activation and the transformation of resulted intermediate species to the final reaction products.

Tailoring structural and magnetic properties of NiCu nanowires by electrodeposition

In this work, we investigated the tailoring of structural and magnetic properties of NiCu nanowires through electrodeposition. Continuous (S1) and composition-modulated (S2) wires were fabricated by electrodeposition using porous alumina membranes as a template. Morphological characterization revealed that the total length of the wires was 8 ± 3 µm in both S1 and S2. For the composition-modulated wires, the length of the segments with the lowest and highest Cu concentrations was 1.2 ± 0.4 µm and 226 ± 65 nm, respectively. Mapping by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) revealed that the concentration of copper and nickel varied along the length of the composition-modulated nanowires, while the continuous nanowires contained a relatively constant concentration of both metals. It is demonstrated that the change in Cu concentration along the wire modifies the lattice parameter, average crystallite size (D) and lattice strain (ε) of Ni. This result is pivotal for understanding the magnetic properties of the wires, as nickel is primarily responsible for the magnetic behavior of the wires. From the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) results, the linewidth and resonance field values for samples S1 and S2 were determined. It was demonstrated that the greater deformation in the nickel lattice in NiCu nanowires increases the angular dependence of the resonance field. Furthermore, the smaller nickel crystallite size was shown to increase spin dispersion and magnetic damping, leading to complex behavior in FMR responses. Finally, it was demonstrated how Cu can influence the magnetic properties such as coercivity (HC) and squareness (MR/MS) of the wires. Overall, this work contributes to understanding the tailoring of structural and magnetic properties of NiCu nanowires through electrodeposition.

Fabrication and Characterization of Thin Metal Films Deposited by Electroless Plating with Organic Additives for Electrical Circuits Applications.

In our work, we studied thin nickel films deposited by electroless plating for use as a barrier and seed layer in the through-silicon vias (TSV) technology. El-Ni coatings were deposited on a copper substrate from the original electrolyte and with the use of various concentrations of organic additives in the composition of the electrolyte. The surface morphology, crystal state, and phase composition of the deposited coatings were studied by SEM, AFM, and XRD methods. The El-Ni coating deposited without the use of an organic additive has an irregular topography with rare phenocrysts of globular formations of hemispherical shape and a root mean square roughness value of 13.62 nm. The phosphorus concentration in the coating is 9.78 wt.%. According to the results of the X-ray diffraction studies of El-Ni, the coating deposited without the use of an organic additive has a nanocrystalline structure with an average nickel crystallite size of 2.76 nm. The influence of the organic additive is seen in the smoothening of the samples surface. The root mean square roughness values of the El-Ni sample coatings vary within 2.09-2.70 nm. According to microanalysis data the phosphorus concentration in the developed coatings is ~4.7-6.2 wt.%. The study of the crystalline state of the deposited coatings by X-ray diffraction made it possible to detect two arrays of nanocrystallites in their structure, with average sizes of 4.8-10.3 nm and 1.3-2.6 nm.

Neodymium promoted ceria and alumina supported nickel catalysts for CO2 methanation reaction

Two series of catalysts containing 20 wt.% nickel, promoted with different amounts of neodymium from 1 to 10 wt.% were prepared by the impregnation method, using nano-CeO2 and γ-Al2O3 as supports. Ceria supported nickel catalysts showed high activity in CO2 methanation reaction and weak activity changes were observed with an increase in Nd content. X-ray diffraction, hydrogen chemisorption and transmission electron microscopy studies evidenced a decrease in the average size of nickel crystallites and an increase in the active surface area of catalysts. The temperature-programmed reduction, oxidation and CO2 desorption, XPS, Raman and in-situ FTIR spectroscopy indicated complex changes in the nature of their redox and base centres. Non-promoted alumina supported nickel catalyst despite higher surface area showed lower activity than similar catalyst with ceria as support. However, an introduction of Nd-promoter led to strong increase in their activity. Such effect was mainly ascribed to the increase in their basicity, facilitation of CO2 activation and subsequent transformation of the intermediate surface species to methane with participation of hydrogen atoms activated on metallic nickel crystallites.

Ni-Mg/Al Mixed Oxides Prepared from Layered Double Hydroxides as Catalysts for the Conversion of Furfural to Tetrahydrofurfuryl Alcohol

Ni-Mg/Al mixed oxide catalysts (Ni2Al, Ni2Mg1Al, and Ni1Mg1Al) obtained from layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were tested on the one-pot production of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (TFA) from furfural (FF). Upon calcination at 400 °C and reduction at 500 °C, the LDHs gave catalysts containing small nickel crystallites (<4 nm) dispersed on mixtures of metal oxides and spinel structures. Complete conversion of FF (>99.5%) was achieved on all the catalysts after 4 h at 190 °C and 5.0 MPa of H2 using 5 wt.% FF in ethanol and a furfural-to-catalyst mass ratio of 7.44 g/g. TFA evolved from the sequential hydrogenation of FF to furfuryl alcohol (FA) to TFA. Competing reaction routes involved decarbonylation of FF to furan (FUR) followed by hydrogenation to tetrahydrofuran (THF) or hydrogenolysis to n-butane (BU) and the hydrogenation of the carbonyl group in FF to form 2-methyl furan (mFUR) and its hydrogenation to 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (mTHF). A third competing route consisted of the nucleophilic addition of FF with ethanol and with FA to form acetals (such as 2-(diethoxymethyl)furan, FDA), which were later converted to difurfuryl ether (DFE) and tetrahydrofurfuryl ethyl ether (TFEE) as final products. Hydrogen pressure favored the production of TFA and diminished the formation of acetals, while temperature reduced the capacity of the catalyst to hydrogenate the furan ring, thus reducing TFA and increasing FA and FUR. An 80% yield to TFA was achieved with the Ni2Mg1Al catalysts after 6 h at 190 °C and 50 bar H2, but a variety of coproducts were present at low concentration. Testing of the catalysts in gas-phase hydrogenation conditions at atmospheric pressure revealed a poorer performance, with FA as the main product.

Nickel–magnesium-modified cenospheres for CO2 methanation

Coal combustion for power generation is a source of CO2 emission into the atmosphere. During that process, waste materials are formed such as cenospheres, which are a fraction of fly ashes. These cenospheres were applied as a catalyst support for the CO2 methanation reaction, which is a promising process for carbon dioxide utilization. Two series of catalysts were compared, a reference one based on the unmodified cenospheres, and a second based on the cenospheres modified by perforation. Nickel supported on Cenospheres nickel, or else nickel with Mg–Al mixed oxides, were prepared by solution combustion synthesis. Perforated cenospheres supporting Mg–Al mixed oxides led to a catalyst with significantly improved catalytic performance (88% at 300 °C) and selectivity to methane (>99% at 300 °C). In this work we evidence better development of the specific surface area, increased surface basicity, improved dispersion of nickel crystallites thanks to the presence of Mg–Al and enlarged number of basic centers at the surface.

Self-combustion Ni and Co-based perovskites as catalyst precursors for ammonia decomposition. Effect of Ce and Mg doping

LaCo1-xNixO3 perovskites have been synthesized by self-combustion, characterized, and examined as catalyst precursors for the COx-free hydrogen production from catalytic ammonia decomposition at low temperatures. The influence of the cobalt content as well as the addition of two dopant in different amount was studied and optimized. Small Ni crystallite size and high total basic sites were found to remarkably enhance the catalytic activity. Moreover, bimetallic perovskites generated cobalt/nickel in higher size, higher impurities and lower active sites than pure nickel perovskite, which decreased the ammonia conversion. On the other hand, the addition of dopant in adequate amount over pure Ni perovskite (La0.1A0.9NiO3; A = Ce or Mg) generated catalyst with low nickel crystallite size and high basicity delivering superior catalytic performance. Catalysts were demonstrated to be stable for at least 40 h. In fact, 96 % and 98 % ammonia conversion were achieved at low temperature (400 °C), when La0.1Ce0.9NiO3 and La0.1Mg0.9NiO3 were employed, resulting from the synergic effect between La-Ce and Ni-Mg-La. Presenting the Mg-doped perovskite the highest catalytic activity at the mild temperature of 350 °C.This study provides new insight in designing diverse catalyst precursors to develop economic and efficient catalysts to achieve high ammonia conversion (high hydrogen production) at low temperature and enhance the ammonia perspective as hydrogen carrier toward the ‘hydrogen economy’.

Electrocatalytic Ammonia Oxidation Mediated by Nickel and Copper Crystallites Decorated with Platinum Nanoparticle (PtM/G, M = Cu, Ni)

Electrocatalytic Ammonia Oxidation Mediated by Nickel and Copper Crystallites Decorated with Platinum Nanoparticle (PtM/G, M = Cu, Ni)

Synthesis gas production by dry reforming of methane over Neodymium-modified hydrotalcite-derived nickel catalysts

Neodymium-modified hydrotalcite-derived nickel catalysts (NixNdMgAlO) by adjusting the Nd content (x) at a range of 2.5–10% were synthesized via co-precipitation method. The catalytic properties of these catalysts were evaluated in the reaction of dry reforming of methane (DRM) at 750 °C. The initial CH4 conversion decreased with the order of Ni7.5NdMgAlO > Ni5NdMgAlO > NiMgAlO > Ni2.5NdMgAlO > Ni10NdMgAlO. The Ni7.5NdMgAlO catalyst with a compromised proportion of Nd at 7.5% had the smallest nickel crystallite size (8.1 nm), highest metal dispersion (11.8%), the highest exposed active sites on the surface (6.3 m2/g) as well as the relatively intimate interaction between small Ni2+ species and the support. Moreover, Ni7.5NdMgAlO with the largest amount of CO2 desorption (736.6 μmol/g-cat) effectively oxidized the coke on the catalyst surface, and manifested the excellent coke resistance (2.4%) in addition to the highest CH4 and CO2 conversion in the DRM reaction. In addition, the optimal addition (7.5%) of Nd to NiMgAlO resulted in a lowering of the activation energy of CO2 by 15%. At excessive Nd content, Ni10NdMgAlO exhibited larger nickel crystallite size (10.5 nm) and was subject to severe accumulation of encapsulating carbon leading to pronounced deactivation.

Effect of cobalt promotion on hydrotalcite-derived nickel catalyst for CO2 methanation

A series of cobalt-promoted Ni-Mg-Al hydrotalcite-derived catalysts were tested towards CO2 methanation reaction. The best among examined catalysts was the one with 1 wt% of cobalt in fresh hydrotalcite, obtaining 77% of CO2 conversion and 99% of CH4 selectivity at 300 °C. Above that temperature, the catalyst was working with-near-equilibrium parameters. It was also stable for up to 24 h on stream. Other cobalt-containing samples were likewise very active and selective during the time on stream. Due to the use of a low amount of cobalt (0.5–4 wt%) the Co-Ni alloy was not the subject of research – both materials formed probably solid solution of cobalt in the nickel matrix. Although the behavior of cobalt as a textural and electronic promoter was confirmed. Co was found to improve reducibility of nickel species, hydrogen uptake, and the acidic/basic properties by increasing the number of medium strength and strong basic sites. Tendency to sintering of nickel crystallites on cobalt-promoted catalysts was not confirmed in this study, however, with increased content of Co, bigger metal crystallites were formed under the reduction conditions.

Studies and Research on the Influence of Deposit Parameters on the Characteristics of Composite Coatings Ni-Al2O3 Obtained by Electrochemical Methods

The paper presents the characterization of composite coatings with nickel matrix using as dispersed phases Al2O3 particles, both from the microstructural point of view and from the point of view of the layer thickness, micro-hardness and corrosion behavior in saline fog. The presence of dispersed phase particles led to the finishing of the structure because they acted as nucleus centres, reducing the size of nickel crystallites. The parameters of the deposits influence the structure and properties of the obtained layers.

The state of BEA zeolite supported nickel catalysts in CO2 methanation reaction

Two model nickel catalysts for CO2 methanation reaction were prepared by the impregnation method using unmodified and dealuminated BEA-type zeolite supports, denoted NiHAlBEA and NiSiBEA. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction studies evidenced formation of metallic nickel crystallites of different size, partially located on the external surface of zeolite grains in of NiHAlBEA catalyst and small nickel nanoparticles uniformly distributed within the zeolite grains in the NiSiBEA catalyst. Higher CO2 conversion and selectivity towards methane at low reaction temperatures were observed for NiSiBEA catalyst. This catalyst showed an improved resistance towards sintering at high reaction temperatures. The decrease of CO2 conversion with the time on stream, accompanied by the drop in methane selectivity in NiHAlBEA catalyst was attributed to the increase in Ni crystallite size, resulted from the migration of small crystallites from the inner to external surface of the zeolite grains and subsequent agglomeration. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform, and quasi in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies evidenced the presence of metallic nickel crystallites in the catalysts and their partial reoxidation under CO2 methanation reaction conditions. High nickel dispersion and sintering resistance of NiSiBEA led to the retardation of the deactivation of catalyst by H2S.

Preparation, Properties and Applications of the Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Nanocomposite Based on Nanoporous Carbon Matrix

Nanoporous carbon matrix was prepared by the sol–gel process from pyrogallol-formaldehyde (PF) mixtures in water using picric acid as catalyst. For the second sample, nickel oxide nanoparticles were added in the PF matrix to get a PF/NiO hybrid organic/inorganic nanocomposite. After a drying step, the samples were heat treated for two hours at 650 °C in tubular furnace under open nitrogen atmosphere. The XRD analysis shows that PF matrix is amorphous while PF/NiO nanocomposite exhibited a metallic phase of nickel. The average value of the metallic nickel crystallites deduced from the Scherrer’s equation was found to be about 35 nm. TEM images indicate the existence of nanopores in the PF matrix and the presence of nickel nanoparticles in the PF/NiO nanocomposite which are dispersed randomly in the carbon matrix. The adsorption–desorption of nitrogen revealed that the pore size equal to 1.9 nm for PF matrix and 2.6 nm for PF/NiO nanocomposite. So, the adsorption capacities of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) show that the PF matrix has the highest adsorption at low pressures where micropores are dominant and the PF/NiO nanocomposite tends to adsorb gases better at high pressure where the presence of mesopores. The V(I) characteristics showed that the PF/NiO nanocomposite can be considered as a smart material. Indeed, the characteristic behavior can be adjusted according to the maximum applied current. Electrochemical measurements have shown that the PF/NiO nanocomposite is very promising for the detection of non-enzymatic glucose with a sensitivity of 76 µA/mM.cm−2 and a detection limit lower than 0.03 µM. The absorption spectra showed that the addition of the NiO nanoparticles increased the Urbach energy and the disorder in the PF/NiO nanocomposite.

Effect of current density and agitation modes on the structural and corrosion behavior of Ni/diamond composite coatings

In this work, Ni/diamond composite coatings have been synthesized by electrodeposition in direct current mode. The effects of mechanical and ultrasonic agitations on the microstructural, surface characteristics and electrochemical properties have been comparatively investigated by various methods. Results show that diamond nanoparticles have been evenly dispersed in Ni metallic matrix, which could reinforce their performances. The coatings prepared under ultrasonic and mechanical agitation both exhibit compact, dense and hill-valley like morphology with pyramid-like nickel crystallite grains. The relative texture coefficient (RTC) values show that the preferred orientation of the Ni/diamond coating was (200) texture. From 3 to 5 A dm−2, the crystallite sizes of ultrasonic conditions were 59.2–81.7 nm, which were smaller than 76.3–83.2 nm of magnetic agitations. The average roughness (Ra = 78.9–133 nm) of ultrasonic-assisted coatings were lower than 103–139 nm of magnetic conditions. The mechanism of the co-electrodeposition process was proposed. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results illustrate that the ultrasonic-assisted electrodeposited Ni/diamond coating has better corrosion resistance than that prepared under mechanical stirring conditions. The Ni/diamond composite coatings could be applied as protective materials in harsh mediums.

Co/CeO2 and Ni/CeO2 catalysts for ethanol steam reforming: Effect of the cobalt/nickel dispersion on catalysts properties

The Co/CeO2 and Ni/CeO2 catalysts were obtained by impregnation method with using different active phase precursors, different impregnation solvents and in presence of organic additive in order to improve cobalt/nickel dispersion and metal-support interaction. An addition of citric acid to precursor metal salt solution allowed to obtain their better dispersion and smaller metal particle size of Co/CeO2 and Ni/CeO2 samples. Whereas catalysts obtained from ammonia solution exhibited the largest size of metal particles. The key step for steam reforming of ethanol at 420 °C over both Co/CeO2 and Ni/CeO2 catalysts is ethanol dehydrogenation which occurs preferentially on cobalt/nickel terrace sites. But efficiency to cleavage C─C bond is favored by the edge/steps sites. Because nucleation of carbon requires relative large domains of flat terraces or larger ensemble sizes, the terrace atoms are involved in the catalyst deactivation under SRE conditions. Whereas the increase in fraction of edge and corner, i.e. better dispersion and strong metal-oxide interactions between metal and ceria could enhance the transfer of oxygen and thus improve the oxidation of carbon formed on the catalysts surface under SRE conditions. Catalytic performance of Ni/CeO2 catalysts in SRE reaction depends on the nickel crystallite size. Whereas catalytic performance of Co/CeO2 catalysts in SRE reaction is related to combination of cobalt crystallite size dependence and the oxidation state of the cobalt nanoparticles.

Hydrogen production via surrogate biomass gasification using 5% Ni and low loading of lanthanum co-impregnated on fluidizable γ-alumina catalysts

Abstract Nickel on alumina support offers opportunity for gasification of biomass for hydrogen production. In a recent contribution from our research team, (González Castañeda, D. G., et al. 2019) showed that cerium or lanthanum co-impregnation at 2 wt% with nickel may have a favorable effect for biomass catalytic gasification. However, and given an observed influence of lanthanum on the formation of small Ni crystallite sizes, five Ni/γ-Al2O3 based fluidizable La promoted catalysts were studied. Nickel-alumina catalysts promotion was effected varying La in the 0.5 and 1.0 wt% range. Once impregnation precursors loaded, they were reduced at 480 °C via an activation step. Catalysts were characterized using BET, XRD, AA, TPR, TPD, H2-chemisorption, TEM-EDX and FTIR. Catalyst performance was established in a fluidized CREC Riser Simulator, using: a) glucose as surrogate biomass, b) 600 °C, c) steam/biomass (S/B) ratio of 1, d) catalyst /biomass (C/B) ratio of 3.2 and e) 20 s reaction time. Data obtained was analyzed using an ANOVA statistical data analysis package with the 5 wt% Ni and 0.5–1 wt% La and Ce on γ-Al2O3 catalysts, prepared using a pH of 1 of impregnating solution were the best yielding 0.53–0.56 hydrogen molar fractions. These catalysts also gave a 39% reduced coke, and this while compared with the coke formed on the 2% Ce – 5 wt%Ni/γ-Al2O3 (González Castañeda, D. G., et al. 2019). This promising performance was assigned to the dominant NH3-TPD medium acidity, the high catalyst specific surface (∼140 m2/g), and the good 9% metal dispersion with 9–10 nm nickel crystallites.

Electrodepositing Ni-TiN/Si<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> Composite Layer with Variation of Current Density

Composite of two phases with crystal grains of titanium nitride (TiN) and amorphous of silicon nitride (Si3N4) had shown an improvement of mechanical properties as shown by composite layer of nickel (Ni) and TiN. In this study, Ni-TiN/Si3N4 composite layer on tungsten carbide bar have been prepared by using electrodeposition to study the effect of current density on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the layer. The optimum properties of composite coating with no crack morphology and maximum hardness was shown by the sample electrodeposited at current density of about 2.5 mA/cm2. The high hardness was attributed to the nickel crystallite size refinement

Ni Supported on Natural Clays as a Catalyst for the Transformation of Levulinic Acid into γ-Valerolactone without the Addition of Molecular Hydrogen

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) is a valuable chemical that can be used as a clean additive for automotive fuels. This compound can be produced from biomass-derived compounds. Levulinic acid (LA) is a compound that can be obtained easily from biomass and it can be transformed into GVL by dehydration and hydrogenation using metallic catalysts. In this work, catalysts of Ni (a non-noble metal) supported on a series of natural and low-cost clay-materials have been tested in the transformation of LA into GVL. Catalysts were prepared by a modified wet impregnation method using oxalic acid trying to facilitate a suitable metal dispersion. The supports employed are attapulgite and two sepiolites with different surface areas. Reaction tests have been undertaken using an aqueous medium at moderate reaction temperatures of 120 and 180 °C. Three types of experiments were undertaken: (i) without H2 source, (ii) using formic acid (FA) as hydrogen source and (iii) using Zn in order to transform water in hydrogen through the reaction Zn + H2O → ZnO + H2. The best results have been obtained combining Zn (which plays a double role as a reactant for hydrogen formation and as a catalyst) and Ni/attapulgite. Yields to GVL higher than 98% have been obtained at 180 °C in the best cases. The best catalytic performance has been related to the presence of tiny Ni particles as nickel crystallites larger than 4 nm were not present in the most efficient catalysts.

PRODUCTION AND PROPERTIES OF COMPOSITE ELECTROCHEMICAL COATINGS WITH ELECTROCHEMICALLY DISPERSED GRAPHENE BASED ON NICKEL MATRIX

In this work, the effect of addition of colloidal solutions of electrochemical exfoliated graphene (EEG) to the Watts bath on the process of obtaining composite coatings based on a nickel matrix was studied. It was found that the introduction of nanoparticle additives has a significant effect on the value of cathodic overvoltage during electro reduction of Ni2+. The strongest inhibition of the cathode process takes place with the introduction of 0.2 g/l of additives investigated. Further increase in the concentration of nanoparticles in the bath reduces the effect. The inhibition of the cathodic reduction of Ni2+ is associated with the adsorption of graphene nanoparticles on the active faces of growing nickel crystallites and the blocking of the accessible surface for Ni2+ reduction. Due to the increase in cathodic polarization during the deposition of the composite coating, the crystallites of the deposited nickel decrease in size and the texture of the crystal structure of the coating changes. According to energy dispersive spectroscopy data, carbon has been included in the composite coating. The carbon content in the coating increases with increasing concentration of nanoparticles in the working electrolyte. The inclusion of negatively charged nanoparticles of electrochemically dispersed graphene in the resulting precipitate becomes possible due to adsorption of Ni2+ and recharging of graphene nanoparticles. It was found that the optimal concentration of electrochemically dispersed graphene in the working electrolyte is 0.1-0.2 g/l. At a given nanoparticle content in the working bath, the porosity and roughness of the coatings decreases. The Tafel polarization curves for composite coating samples obtained in a 0.5M NaCl solution showed that the inclusion of graphene nanoparticles in the resulting coating leads to a shift of the corrosion potential to the negative area. With an increase in the carbon content in the coating, the shift in corrosion potentials increases, and the value of corrosion currents increases. For samples of composite coatings obtained at an EEG additive concentration of 0.1 g/l, a slight improvement in the protective properties is noted, which is associated with a decrease in the porosity of the coatings.

Effects of metal support interaction on dry reforming of methane over Ni/Ce‐Al2O3catalysts

AbstractDry (CO2) reforming of methane is conducted over two newly synthesized Ni20/Ce‐γAl2O3and Ni20/Ce‐meso‐Al2O3catalysts. The x‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated that Ni20/Ce‐meso‐Al2O3exhibits a better dispersion of nickel, while Ni20/Ce‐γAl2O3has larger amounts of nickel crystallites. The temperature programmed desorption (TPD) kinetics analysis indicated that Ni20/Ce‐meso‐Al2O3had a lesser metal‐support interaction than the Ni20/Ce‐γAl2O3. The thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the incorporation of ceria into the Al2O3matrix helps to stabilize Ni20/Ce‐meso‐Al2O3during dry reforming of methane. The temperature programmed reduction (TPR) indicated that the synthesized catalysts were sufficiently reducible below 750 °C. A fixed bed reactor evaluation (at 750 °C) showed that both catalysts can facilitate methane reforming to syngas with minimal coking throughout the 30 hours time‐on‐stream (TOS). However, Ni20/Ce‐meso‐Al2O3is more promising in terms of prolonged stability for dry reforming applications. Moreover, the syngas yield for Ni20/Ce‐γAl2O3is close to equilibrium prediction during the first 1 hour of reaction time.