Effect of the addition of Ce and Zr over a flower-like NiO-MgO (111) solid solution for CO2 reforming of methane

Ni-based catalysts have been extensively employed in the CO2 reforming of methane because of its superior activity, low cost, and exhaustive availability. The Ce, Zr or co-doped flower-like NiO-MgO solid solution catalysts, covered by (111) facets, were prepared by applying the solvothermal synthesis method in the CO2 reforming of methane. The high surface energy of (111) facets in the NiO-MgO solid solution contributed to the prominent reactivity. The addition of Ce and Zr into Ni0.1Mg0.9O (111) resulted in enhanced activity and coke resistance. It did this by providing a smaller nickel particle size due to stronger interactions, and an increase in surface oxygen species which improves the CO2 adsorption capacity. The Ce/Zr co-doped catalyst, possessing a molar ratio of 0.01: 0.01, exhibited the highest catalytic activity and long-term stability.