Finding of a new cycle route in Ni/Mo2C catalyzed CH4–CO2 reforming

Abstract

Oxidation–recarburization cycle has become an important reaction mechanism in various Ni/Mo₂C catalyzed reactions. In the cycle, Mo₂C usually undergoes structure transformation (Mo₂C ↔ MoO₂), while the Ni phase always remains unchanged. In the present study, we have found a new cycle route involving Ni, viz. Ni/Mo₂C ↔ MoNi₄, in a Ni/Mo₂C catalyzed CH₄–CO₂ reforming reaction. The formation rate of MoNi₄ has a significant impact on the reaction proceeding. Once MoNi₄ is formed in large quantities, the catalytic cycle will slow down sharply until it stops.