High activity and strong coke resistance of nickel CO2-CH4 reforming catalyst promoted by different plasma treated modes

The radio frequency plasma was used to decorate the MCM-41 support or to treat the catalyst precursor. The structures and CO2-CH4 reforming performances of nickel-based catalysts prepared by different plasma treated modes were compared. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, H2-TPR, XPS, TEM, TG and contact angle. Comparing with the calcined catalyst supported on common MCM-41 (N-M-C), the plasma treated catalyst supported on plasma decorated MCM-41(N-MP-P) showed highest activity and best stability because of less Si -OH groups on support, smaller nickel particle size and more homogeneously dispersion as well as stronger interaction between nickel-MCM-41. The average CH4 and CO2 conversions were increased by 24.0% and 19.3%, respectively. After 30 h reaction, there was a little loss of the conversions, and the carbon deposition was decreased from 35.8% on N-M-C to 0.8% on N-MP-P; additionally, the Ni particle size was reduced from 20.9 to 8.5 nm, which proved that the coke resistance was apparently promoted. Comparing with the effect of plasma decorating the support, that of plasma treating the catalyst precursor played a more important role in the structure and catalytic performance of the Ni-based catalyst.

Automated summary

The radio frequency plasma was used for either decorating the MCM-41 support or treating the catalyst precursor. The comparison of nickel-based catalysts prepared by different plasma treated modes showed that plasma treated catalyst supported on plasma decorated MCM-41 exhibited the highest activity and best stability. This was attributed to the fewer Si-OH groups on the support, smaller nickel particle size, more homogeneous dispersion, and stronger interaction between nickel and MCM-41.