Catalytic performances of NiO-CeO2 for the reforming of methane with CO2 and O2

Ce1-xNixO2 oxides with x varying from 0.1 to 0.5 were prepared by precipitation and characterized by XRD, TPR and XPS techniques. Three kinds of Ni phases co-exist in Ce(1-)xNi(x)O(2) catalysts: (1) aggregated NiO on the support CeO2, (2) highly dispersed NiO with a strong interaction with CeO2 and (3) Ni atoms incorporated into the CeO2 lattice that forms the solid solution. For the reforming of methane with CO2 and O-2, the Ce1-xNixO2 oxides prepared by precipitation are superior catalysts, which had a high catalytic activity and thermal stability, especially Ce0.8Ni0.2O2. The catalytic activity is affected by the Ni dispersion on the surface of the catalyst. The Ni-CeO2 solid solution formed by the Ni species incorporated into CeO2 promotes the capability of coking resistance. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.