Ni/Al2O3 catalysts: effects of the promoters Ce, La and Zr on the methane steam and oxidative reforming reactions

Abstract

The influence of the promoters CeO₂, CeO₂–ZrO₂ and CeO₂–La₂O₃ on the reactivity of γ-Al₂O₃ supported nickel catalysts from steam and oxidative reforming of methane was investigated in this study. At temperatures above 500 °C, promoted catalysts showed the best performance in the methane oxidative reforming reaction. The increase in activity can be attributed to the specific catalyst–promoter interactions such as the capacity of CeO₂ to store and release oxygen and the influence of La₂O₃ on the stability of the support. Below 500 °C, the activity of the catalyst may be related more directly to the exposed metal surface area.