Methane reforming reaction with carbon dioxide over SBA-15 supported Ni–Mo bimetallic catalysts

A series of mesoporous molecular sieves SBA-15 supported Ni–Mo bimetallic catalysts (xMo1Ni, Ni = 12 wt.%, Mo/Ni atomic ratio = x, x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) were prepared using co-impregnation method for carbon dioxide reforming of methane. The catalytic performance of these catalysts was investigated at 800 °C, atmospheric pressure, GHSV of 4000 ml·gcat− 1·h− 1 and a V(CH4)/(CO2) ratio of 1 without dilute gas. The result indicated that the Ni–Mo bimetallic catalysts had a little lower initial activity compared with Ni monometallic catalyst, but it kept very stable performance under the reaction conditions. In addition, the Ni–Mo bimetallic catalyst with Mo/Ni atomic ratio of 0.5 showed high activity, superior stability and the lowest carbon deposition rate (0.00073gc·gcat− 1·h− 1) in 600-h time on stream. The catalysts were characterized by power X-ray diffraction, N2-physisorption, H2-TPR, CO2-TPD, TG and TEM. The results indicate that the Ni–Mo bimetallic catalysts have smaller metal particle, higher metal dispersion, stronger basicity, metal–support interaction and Mo2C species. It is concluded that Mo species in the Ni–Mo bimetallic catalysts play important roles in reducing effectively the amount of carbon deposition, especially the amount of shell-like carbon deposition.

Research highlights
► The catalysts prepared using co-impregnation method.
► The Ni–Mo bimetallic catalysts show excellent stability and high activity.
► The metal–support interaction (MSI) changes morphology of carbon deposition.
► The catalytic performances correlate with MSI, basicity, particle size and Mo2C.
► Mo species play important roles in outstanding catalytic performances.