Microcalorimetric studies and methane reforming by CO2 on Ni-based zeolite catalysts

A series of catalysts containing nickel, based on HZSM-5 and USY zeolites, have been prepared by ionic exchange; a Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst has been prepared by impregnation, for comparison. Ammonia and CO adsorption microcalorimetry and temperature programmed reduction experiments have shown that NiZSM-5 is the most acidic and the most reducible catalyst. The study of the reaction of methane reforming by carbon dioxide in presence of these catalysts has shown that the catalytic performance depends simultaneously on the acidity, reducibility, and structure of the zeolite. Globally, it appears that the catalytic properties of NiUSY are superior to those of NiZSM-5 and Ni/gamma-Al2O3. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.