CO2 reforming of CH4: Effect of Gd as promoter for Ni supported over MCM-41 as catalyst

Biogas, an emerging renewable replacement to natural gas (fossil fuel), is 60-70% methane and 30-40% CO2 by volume and can be produced from organic matter by anaerobic bacteria. Dry reforming of methane (DRM) technology has gained growing interest as this reaction converts natural gas/biogas into syngas that can be used for the generation of clean fuel, alcohols and variety of other chemicals. In this study, a Ni based catalyst supported over mesoporous silica (MCM-41) and promoted by gadolinium (Gd) metal was synthesized and tested for its activity for DRM reaction. The catalytic performance of the catalyst was found to be greatly enhanced with about 0.1 wt% Gd loading. Thus, Gd can act as promoter for Ni based catalyst in DRM reaction. This catalyst converts CH4 and CO2 with high conversions, i.e. >87% and >91% respectively, into syngas having H-2/CO ratio nearly equal to 1 showing potential for catalyzing this reaction. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.