Dry reforming of methane to hydrogen-rich syngas over robust fibrous KCC-1 stabilized nickel catalyst with high activity and coke resistance

A remarkably stable and active nickel (Ni) catalyst, supported on fibrous KCC-1 silica particles, was prepared by in situ one-pot hydrothermal method to produce a hydrogenrich syngas. The catalysts' properties were characterized by BET, XRD, FESEM-mapping, FTIR-pyrrole, FTIR-KBr, and XPS, while coke deposition was evaluated using Raman spectra, TEM and TGA/DTA. The high dispersion of Ni crystallites, enhanced basicity, strong Ni-KCC-1 interaction, and encapsulation of Ni particles contributed to the enhanced catalyst stability and activity. The one-pot catalyst produced high CH4 and CO2 conversions at 92% and 88% respectively, with high H-2/CO ratio, and an extended stability over 72 h at 750 degrees C. There was limited coke deposition, predominantly of the amorphous type, owing to its synthesis method and support morphology. (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.