Phyllosilicate evolved hierarchical Ni- and Cu–Ni/SiO2 nanocomposites for methane dry reforming catalysis.

Well dispersed Ni and Cu–Ni alloy nanoparticles (∼7 nm) embedded in nanosheets of hierarchical SiO 2 hollow spheres (surface area > 400 m 2 /g) have been synthesized through a hydrothermal process and have shown superior catalytic performance in methane dry reforming (DRM) reaction to the impregnated control sample based on SiO 2 nanospheres. The catalytic activity and the sintering and coke resistant properties of the hierarchical composite catalysts in the high temperature DRM catalysis are ascribed to the strong metal–support interaction and the well dispersed small metal nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]