Zhang, Wenzheng, Akdim, Ouardia, Zhang, Nan, Deng, Xueping, Zhao, Huahua, Yang, Jian, Song, Huanling, Hu, Yongfeng, Chou, Lingjun and Hutchings, Graham J.  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8885-1560
2026.
Coke-resistant Ni/Al2O3 catalysts for low-temperature dry reforming of methane via Ni0/NiAl2O4 interface control.
Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
391
, 126705.
10.1016/j.apcatb.2026.126705
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Abstract
The dry reforming of methane (DRM) is a key process for valorizing CO2 and CH4, yet the catalyst longevity is limited by severe coking at low temperature. Among various catalysts studied, NiAl-based systems have been a long-standing research focus due to their inherent advantages. However, their practical application has been perpetually hampered by vulnerability to coke formation. This study investigates the effect of varying the Ni0/Ni2+ ratio (from NiAl2O4) in a 5 wt% Ni/Al2O3 catalyst, while controlling particle size and Ni dispersion, on coke resistance under conditions where carbon formation is thermodynamically favored, i.e., 600 °C, CH4:CO2:N2 = 25:25:10, GHSV = 150 L gcat−1 h−1. Using in situ XANES, we established that a catalyst formulation, Ni0/NiAl2O4/Al2O3, with 32.5% Ni0 and 67.5% Ni2+ achieves the highest performance. Comprehensive pulse experiments and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) provides insights into the reaction mechanism, wherein CHx* (* adsorbed) species from CH4 dissociation on Ni0 are rapidly oxidized by the surface O* from NiAl2O4 to form HCO3* and CO3* intermediates. Simultaneously, the CO disproportionation route to coke is suppressed. In contrast, a catalyst lacking this optimized interface readily promotes coke deposition.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Research Institutes & Centres > Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI) Schools > Chemistry |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 0926-3373 |
| Date of First Compliant Deposit: | 30 March 2026 |
| Date of Acceptance: | 20 March 2026 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Aug 2026 02:50 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/186067 |
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