Fibrous La2Zr2O7 pyrochlore-supported Ni nanocatalysts for methane reforming

This study aims to investigate La2Zr2O7 pyrochlore-supported Ni nanocatalysts prepared by electrospinning and subsequent heat treatment. The solid solubility of Ni in La2Zr2O7 forms an interaction between NiO and La2Zr2O7 supports, which improves Ni dispersion and therefore increases catalytic activity during methane partial oxidation. The catalyst activity increased with Ni content up to 7 wt%. A further increase of the Ni content decreased the activity due to the limited solubility. The catalyst calcination temperature affected the interaction and hence the catalytic activity, and the optimal calcination temperature was 1000 degrees C. The Ni/La2Zr2O7 catalyst was compared with a conventional Ni/Al2O3 catalyst in term of the interaction. NiAl2O4 formation caused a strong interaction between Ni and Al2O3 supports, resulting in high reduction temperatures and low reducibility. In contrast, the limited solubility of Ni in La2Zr2O7 supports formed a more effective interaction, demonstrating the higher reducibility and catalytic performance. Therefore, an effective interaction between active catalyst and support is crucial to achieve high catalytic performance.