Nanosized Ni/SBA-15 Catalysts for CO2 Reforming of CH4

Ni, Co, and Co–Ni bimetallic catalysts supported over SBA-15 and over SBA-15 doped with Zn or Ce oxides were prepared and tested in a methane dry reforming reaction. The loading of the metals in the catalyst was 5 wt % for either mono or bimetallic catalysts. The prepared catalysts were tested in a continuous-flow fixed-bed reactor at 800 °C under atmospheric pressure. XRD, TPR, TPD, and SEM characterization techniques were employed to investigate the catalytic properties of fresh catalysts. SEM and TGA were used to study the catalytic properties of spent catalysts. A remarkable effect on the reduction properties and catalytic performance of catalysts was observed after adding Zn and Ce. Over an 8 h test, Ni/SBA-15 showed the best activity and stability. The conversion was 90% for CH4 and CO2. Co–Ni/SBA-15 and Co–Ni/Ce–SBA-15 have shown a reasonable activity and stability. Selectivity of the Ni/SBA-15 catalyst was higher than all other catalysts as indicated by the H2/CO ratio. Co/SBA-15 and Co–Ni/Zn–SBA-15 showed a low activity and selectivity. TPD–NH3 profiles indicated that doping SBA-15 with Ce and/or Zn increased the catalyst acidic sites. Ni/SBA-15 is an excellent potential catalyst for commercial methane dry reforming processes.