Dry reforming of methane over CeO2-ZnAl2O4 supported Ni and Ni-Co nano-catalysts

Ni and Ni-Co catalysts supported on CeO2-ZnAl2O4 have been prepared, characterized and evaluated in the methane dry reforming. The characterization tests showed that the presence of cobalt improved the physical/ chemical properties of the catalyst by increasing surface area, reduction in the active particle size and strengthen the active phase/support interaction which resulted in coke deposit resistance accompanied by little impact on initial activity. In addition to the geometric effects of Co, the higher stability exhibited by Co-doped catalyst could be attributed to the enhancement of coke gasification due to the high tendency of cobalt towards oxygenated species like CO2.