Dry reforming of methane over Ni/Ce0.62Zr0.38O2 catalysts: Effect of Ni loading on the catalytic activity and on H2/CO production

The activity of ceria-zirconia-supported nickel catalysts (Ni/CZ) with various loadings of nickel (2, 4 and 10 wt. %) was studied in the case of low-temperature dry reforming of methane (DRM). XRD, SBET, SEM, TPD-CO2 and thermogravimetry were used to determine the physicochemical properties of the catalysts and of the carbon deposits formed on the surface. It was found that the agglomerates of the Ni-active phase are formed on the surface of the support for high loadings of nickel. The best conversions of CO2 and CH4 and an optimum ratio H-2/CO = 1 were obtained for the catalysts with the highest Ni content. It was also found that loading has an influence on the amount of carbon deposits formed in the DRM process. (C) 2015 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.