Insights into Ni and (Ce)SBA-15-CTA interaction and syngas formation rate

Our SBA-15-CTA mesoporous materials developed in citric acid (CTA), instead of traditional HCl intermediate, were used to support CeO2 doped nickel catalysts in methane dry reforming reaction. Results revealed that SBA-15-CTA had a high capacity for hosting CeO2 (up to 30 wt.%), which had strong interaction with Ni species, leading to a high reduction temperature of NiO at 442 degrees C. XANES analysis verified that Ni species were much more stable over Ce doped SBA-15-CTA than un-doped ones, which helped the Ni species maintain their metallic state. As demonstrated through TPSR analysis, CH4 and CO2 was converted to syngas at a high rate at a low initiation temperature over Ce doped Ni/SBA-15-CTA catalysts. Despite both catalysts having similar performance, Ni/30CeO(2)-SBA-15-CTA yielded a much lower coke deposition rate (4.9% vs 22.4% on Ni/10CeO(2)-SBA-15-CTA). A desirable endurance to metal sintering and carbon elimination rate was achieved over 5Ni/15CeO(2)-SBA-15-CTA catalyst, owing to the high concentration of oxygen vacancy coupled with the high amount of Ce3+.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that Ce-doped Ni/SBA-15-CTA catalysts exhibit efficient catalytic performance and resistance to coke deposition in methane dry reforming reaction, displaying higher durability and stability.