A review of recent efforts to promote dry reforming of methane (DRM) to syngas production via bimetallic catalyst formulations

Dry (CO2) reforming of methane (DRM) for syngas production, a critical feedstock for the production of hydrogen, ammonia, and Fischer-Tropsch derived liquid energy carriers, unequivocally ranks among the top issues of applied catalysis in the light of environmental protection, renewable energy production and circular economy. This mainly because DRM involves the simultaneous reduction of two key greenhouse gases (CO2 and CH4) and provides an efficient way for CO2 utilization/recycling and the direct implementation of biogas. The same advantages make DRM a more favorable process compared to steam- or oxi- reforming ones. The design of cost-effective, efficient and robust (coking- and sintering-resistant) DRM catalysts is a grand challenge in the topic. Bimetallic catalysts, providing synergistic effects via metal-to-metal interactions seem to be an effective strategy for achieving these goals. A review of the recent literature achievements on DRM using bimetallic catalyst formulations is provided herein in a comprehensive and comparative manner.