Mesocellular silica foam-based Ni catalysts for dry reforming of CH4 (by CO2)

Nickel-containing mesocellular silica foam (MCF) catalysts were prepared for dry reforming of methane (DRM). Different methods were used for the synthesis of the MCFs supports in order to enhance their surface areas and pore volumes. The incorporation of nickel was done by three different methods: incipient wetness impregnation, two-solvents post-synthesis method and direct one-pot synthesis introduction. All prepared materials were calcined then characterized by N-2 sorption, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electronic Microscopy (TEM), Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). Their catalytic performances were tested in DRM between 200 and 770 degrees C, then for 4 h (stability test) at 650 degrees C, using a Gas Hourly Space Velocity (GHSV) of 36 L g(-1) h(-1) and an equimolar ratio of reactants. Promising results were obtained by using direct synthesis method (DS) in which small Ni particles in strong interaction with the support were formed.