In-situ synthesis of Ni-Mo2C/Al2O3 catalysts for dry reforming of methane

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is considered a promising process to convert two major greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2) into hydrogen and synthesis gas for chemical and fuel production. In the current work, NiMo Al2O3 samples were prepared by combustion synthesis via one-pot process using urea and starch as fuel, and then treated in a flow of CH4/CO2 at 800 degrees C to in-situ synthesize the Ni-Mo2C/Al2O3 catalyst, which was then tested in CH4/CO2 for DRM. The results indicate that the Ni-Mo2C/Al2O3 catalyst was successfully formed, and there was a strong interaction of Ni-0-Mo2C via in-situ carburization; within DRM, CH4 can be converted by Ni-0 into intermediate species of C*, and was then further transformed into CO by the adjacent Mo2C 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 CO2 and mole ratio of H-2/CO maintained stable near 94% and 0.99, respectively, and the conversion of CH4 remained stable near 89.4% in a 15-h DRM test. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.