Stable Ni nanocrystals on porous single-crystalline MgO particles for enhanced dry reforming activity and durability of CH4/CO2

Abstract

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) has garnered significant interest due to its potential for the efficient conversion of the greenhouse gases CH₄ and CO₂ into valuable chemical compounds, offering substantial economic prospects. However, DRM operations need to be carried out at high temperatures, so the resultant sintering of catalysts and carbon deposition remain as challenging issues. Here, we grow porous single crystalline (PSC) MgO particles using solid–solid phase transformation and stabilized Ni nanocrystals on the surface, creating an active metal oxide interface to evaluate the efficacy of the catalyst. The results reveal that the conversion rates of CH₄ and CO₂ are ∼95% and ∼96% at 700 °C, respectively. Despite continuous operation for 150 hours at 700 °C, the catalyst still exhibits good activity and durability. The well-defined Ni–MgO interface activates C–H bonds at reduced temperatures, contributing to enhanced catalytic activity and resistance to carbon deposition in DRM reactions. This work could offer a novel method for the growth of PSC oxide particles and provide strategies for stable catalyst designs.