In-situ synthesis of Ni[sbnd]Mo2C/Al2O3 catalysts for dry reforming of methane.

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is considered a promising process to convert two major greenhouse gases (CH 4 and CO 2 ) into hydrogen and synthesis gas for chemical and fuel production. In the current work, NiMo Al 2 O 3 samples were prepared by combustion synthesis via one-pot process using urea and starch as fuel, and then treated in a flow of CH 4 /CO 2 at 800 °C to in-situ synthesize the Ni Mo 2 C/Al 2 O 3 catalyst, which was then tested in CH 4 /CO 2 for DRM. The results indicate that the Ni Mo 2 C/Al 2 O 3 catalyst was successfully formed, and there was a strong interaction of Ni 0 Mo 2 C via in-situ carburization; within DRM, CH 4 can be converted by Ni 0 into intermediate species of C ∗ , and was then further transformed into CO by the adjacent Mo 2 C species in a catalytic cycle. Meanwhile, there were improved specific surface area and resistance to oxidation and sintering, as suggested by BET, XRD and XPS. As a result, the conversion of CO 2 and mole ratio of H 2 /CO maintained stable near 94% and 0.99, respectively, and the conversion of CH 4 remained stable near 89.4% in a 15-h DRM test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]