Search

Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) was employed in evaluating the catalytic surface of meso-microporous KIT-6 impregnated Ni (0.5–2.0 wt%) in methane dry reforming reaction. The free energy of adsorption did not changed significantly for the sample modified with highly dispersed Ni species (0.5 wt%). At higher Ni loadings, higher free energy of adsorption and enthalpy of adsorption of the probes were observed, together with high dispersive interaction and specific interaction of aromatics. The results indicated that during the impregnation, Ni species preferably penetrated into the microporous region to form Ni particles and became ‘unaccessible’. This feature was used to understand the dependence of activity on Ni loading for the gas phase catalytic methane reforming with carbon dioxide on Ni/KIT-6. The lower TOF at low metal loadings was attributed to Ni particles located in the micropores which result in diffusional constraint of reactants and products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] La2O3-modified Ni/SBA-15 catalysts were studied in CH4 reforming with CO2. [•] Ni dispersion and the catalytic performance were improved with La addition. [•] The promoting intermediates were trapped in a designed infrared cell. [•] La promotes the reforming mainly by adsorbing CO2 and facilitating CO* and CH x O*. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]