Methane reforming over Ni/Ce-ZrO2 catalysts: effect of nickel content Original Research Article

The effect of Ni content on the Ni/Ce-ZrO2 catalyst has been investigated in the methane conversion reactions to syngas, such as oxy-reforming, steam reforming and oxy-steam reforming. Among the catalysts examined, Ni/Ce-ZrO2 catalyst with 15% Ni loading exhibits not only the highest catalytic activity and selectivity but also remarkable stability. The TPR results reveal that strong interaction between support and metal exists and that some part of NiO incorporates into the surface of the Ce-ZrO2 support. Combined with H2 chemisorption results, one may deduce that Ni surface area and the chemical environment of nickel, as well as the properties of the Ce-ZrO2 support, play very important roles in the catalytic activity and stability of Ni/Ce-ZrO2 catalysts. It seems that two kinds of active sites, i.e. one for methane and the other for steam or oxygen, are well-balanced on 15% Ni/Ce-ZrO2 catalyst.