Syngas production via CO2 reforming of methane using Co-Sr-Al catalyst

The effect of addition of strontium in Co based catalysts during CO2 reforming of methane was investigated in the temperature range 500–700 °C. The Co/γ-Al2O3 supported catalysts with strontium as a promoter (0–2.25 wt%) were prepared by incipient wet impregnation method. Numerous techniques such as N2 adsorption–desorption isotherm, H2 temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), pulse chemisorption and temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO) were applied for characterization of fresh and spent catalysts. The results of characterizations and catalyst activity test revealed that introduction of Sr in Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst had significant effect on stability and coke suppression. The Sr addition improves the metal–support interaction as well as enhances the Lewis basicity of the catalyst. The improvement in basicity helps the chemisorption and dissociation of CO2 over the catalyst which in turn reduces carbon deposition.