Hydrogen production by steam reforming of liquefied natural gas (LNG) over mesoporous nickel–alumina aerogel catalyst

A mesoporous nickel–alumina aerogel catalyst (NiAE-SS) was prepared by a single-step sol–gel method and a subsequent CO2 supercritical drying method for use in hydrogen production by steam reforming of liquefied natural gas (LNG). For comparison, a nickel catalyst supported on alumina aerogel (Ni/AE-IP) was also prepared by an impregnation method. The effect of preparation method of supported nickel catalysts on their physicochemical properties and catalytic performance in the steam reforming of LNG was investigated. NiAE-SS catalyst retained superior textural properties compared to Ni/AE-IP catalyst. Nickel species were finely dispersed on the surface of both Ni/AE-IP and NiAE-SS catalysts through the formation of surface nickel aluminate phase. Although both Ni/AE-IP and NiAE-SS catalysts exhibited a stable catalytic performance, NiAE-SS catalyst showed a better catalytic performance than Ni/AE-IP catalyst in terms of LNG conversion and hydrogen yield. High nickel surface area, high nickel dispersion, and well-developed mesoporosity of NiAE-SS catalyst played an important role in enhancing the catalytic performance in the steam reforming of LNG. Uniformly distributed metallic nickel particles in the NiAE-SS catalyst were also responsible for its high catalytic performance.