The promotional role of β-cyclodextrin on Ni-Mo2C/MgO catalyst for biogas reforming

Abstract In this work, Ni-Mo2C/MgO catalysts were prepared by sol-gel method with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as the carbon source and dispersant, and applied in the dry reforming of biogas. The roles of ratio of Ni/Mo as well as β-CD on the catalytic activity and stability were analyzed. Systematic characterizations analysis such as XRD, XPS, and TEM confirm that Mo2C can only form under the condition of pre-reduction and carburization, confirming that metallic Ni nanoparticles promote the carbonization process of Mo2C, and that β-CD as a carbon source is of great necessity for the formation of Mo2C. In the dry reforming of biogas, the formation of Mo2C significantly impacts the catalytic activity and stability, which is beneficial for CO2 activation and coke removal via the redox cycle. Ni-Mo2C/MgO catalysts with optimized Ni and Mo contents of 7 and 15 wt%, respectively, exhibit the best catalytic activity and stability for the dry reforming of biogas. The CH4 and CO2 conversion rates remained above 90% and 85%, respectively, for 200 h at 850 °C and WHSV = 30,000 ml. g−1. h−1.