Highly stable mesoporous NiO–Y2O3–Al2O3 catalysts for CO2 reforming of methane: effect of Ni embedding and Y2O3 promotion

Abstract

A series of mesoporous NiO–Y₂O₃–Al₂O₃ composite oxides with different yttrium contents were synthesized by either a one-pot evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method or impregnation for carbon dioxide reforming of methane (CRM). Their catalytic performance was evaluated and all the samples were characterized by means of N₂ physisorption, XRD, XPS, H₂-TPR and TEM. It was found that addition of appropriate amounts of Y₂O₃ (sample NYA2) has little influence on the EISA process, and thus, an ordered mesoporous structure with enhanced textural and Ni dispersive properties can be obtained. The NYA2 catalyst showed excellent performance in CRM, and no deactivation was observed for 100 h. Based on the comparative characterization of the reduced and exhausted catalysts, the good performance of NYA2 was related to its low carbon formation rate thanks to the very small and thermally stable metallic Ni particles (ca. 6.0 nm) which were well embedded in the catalyst framework and the redox properties of the Y₂O₃ promoter.