Ordered mesoporous Ni/Silica-carbon as an efficient and stable catalyst for CO2 reforming of methane

Ordered mesoporous silica-carbon (MSC) were used as supports of Ni based catalysts for dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction. The effects of preparation method and precipitant on the catalysts are investigated. The physical and chemical properties are discussed based on the H2-TPR, FTIR, XRD, TEM, H2-TPD and N2 adsorption/desorption characterization. It is found that the preparation method and choice of precipitants affect the catalysts significantly in terms of the properties and catalytic performance in DRM reaction. In detail, the catalysts prepared by the precipitation method show more highly dispersed Ni particles and further better catalytic activity than the impregnated catalyst. That is attributed to the forming Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 nanoflakes in the catalyst precursors with the existence of alkaline precipitants. And this Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 species bind the support more tightly than NiO in the impregnated Ni/MSC catalyst. Moreover, the choice of precipitants also influences the form of Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 species in the catalysts. Specially, the strong electrolytic capacity of NaOH gives the most Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 nanoflakes formed in Ni-MSC-1 catalyst, which results in the most highly Ni dispersity and further highest catalytic activity. Besides, the strong interaction between the Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 species and support are also advantageous to the resist sintering and formation of carbon deposition, that is related to the good catalytic stability of catalysts.