Promotional effect of cerium on nickel-containing mesoporous silica for carbon dioxide reforming of methane

A series of Ce-promoted 6.7% Ni-containing mesoporous silica (Ce-Ni-SiO2) with varying Ce content (0.5%–4.8%) was prepared using the evaporation-induced self-assembly method. The characterization results showed that Ce and Ni species were homogeneously incorporated into the mesoporous silica matrix. The catalytic properties of these samples in the dry reforming of methane reaction revealed that the catalysts (e.g., 1.2% Ce-Ni-SiO2) containing highly dispersed small Ni particles exhibited excellent catalytic activity and long-term stability, which is attributed to the anchoring effect of the Ce and its ability to increase surface oxygen species concentration.