Perovskite La2(NiCu)O4 catalyst precursors for dry reforming of methane: effects of Cu-substitution on carbon resistance

Abstract

Exploring low-cost catalysts with low carbon deposition and high activity for dry reforming of methane (DRM) is of great importance in both industrial and academic fields. La₂(Ni_1−xCu_x)O₄ (x = 0.0–0.4) perovskites were synthesized by a sol–gel self-combustion method and evaluated as catalyst precursors for DRM. The reduced La₂(Ni_0.8Cu_0.2)O₄ shows optimal performance with negligible carbon deposition, and the conversions of CH₄ and CO₂ are 73% and 80%, respectively. The remarkably improved carbon resistance of the reduced La₂(Ni_0.8Cu_0.2)O₄ is attributed to the small metallic particles obtained from the reduced perovskite and the surface segregation of Cu in the metallic Ni–Cu particles.