Significant roles of mesostructure and basic modifier for ordered mesoporous Ni/CaO–Al2O3 catalyst towards CO2 reforming of CH4

Abstract

An ordered mesoporous CaO–Al₂O₃ composite oxide had been designed and prepared via improved evaporation induced self-assemble strategy (EISA). The resultant material was utilized as the support of Ni based catalyst for CO₂ reforming of CH₄. In order to study the roles of the ordered mesopore structure and basic modifier in promoting the catalytic properties toward the CO₂ reforming of CH₄ reaction, non-mesoporous CaO–Al₂O₃ without ordered mesostructure and ordered mesoporous Al₂O₃ without basic modifier were also synthesized, respectively. It was found that both the ordered mesostructure and CaO basic modifier showed significant effects in promoting catalytic activity, stability and suppressing the carbon deposition during their 100 h long term stability tests. Compared with traditional supported catalysts, the confinement effect of the mesoporous catalysts could effectively inhibit the thermal sintering of the Ni particles. Furthermore, the sorts of coke species over the spent catalysts and the mechanism of catalyst deactivation were also carefully investigated. Therefore, the present ordered mesoporous CaO–Al₂O₃ composite oxide will be a potential carrier for Ni-based catalysts for CO₂ reforming of CH₄ and even other reactions.