Dry reforming of methane over nickel catalysts supported on the cuspidine-like phase Nd4Ga2O9

Carbon dioxide reforming of methane was studied over Ni catalysts supported on the cuspidine-like phase Nd4Ga2O9. Attempts to prepare two types of materials were undertaken by combustion synthesis: Nd4Ga2(1−x)Ni2xO9−x compounds and Ni/Nd4Ga2O9 samples containing 5, 10 and 15 wt% of Ni. The Ni-substituted Nd4Ga2O9 phases could not be obtained, whereas the Ni/Nd4Ga2O9 catalysts were prepared successfully. All catalysts exhibit activity towards dry reforming of methane. The best catalytic activity was observed at 800 °C for the catalyst with a Ni content of 10% reduced at 700 °C. After 12 h on steam, Ni particles were 10–20 nm in size, and no carbonaceous deposits were observed. A strong and complex interaction between nickel and the cuspidine Nd4Ga2O9 support exists. This feature coupled with the moderate basicity of the cuspidine-type support could explain the weak Ni coarsening observed under reaction conditions and the good resistance to coking of the catalysts.