Ni/Al2O3 catalysts: effects of the promoters Ce, La and Zr on the methane steam and oxidative reforming reactions

The influence of the promoters CeO2, CeO2-ZrO2 and CeO2-La2O3 on the reactivity of gamma-Al2O3 supported nickel catalysts from steam and oxidative reforming of methane was investigated in this study. At temperatures above 500 degrees C, promoted catalysts showed the best performance in the methane oxidative reforming reaction. The increase in activity can be attributed to the specific catalyst-promoter interactions such as the capacity of CeO2 to store and release oxygen and the influence of La2O3 on the stability of the support. Below 500 degrees C, the activity of the catalyst may be related more directly to the exposed metal surface area.