Methane reforming with carbon dioxide over mesoporous nickel–alumina composite catalyst

A mesoporous nickel–alumina composite catalyst prepared by one-pot evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method, and a nickel supported EISA synthesized alumina catalyst prepared by impregnation method, were comparably studied for carbon dioxide reforming of methane reaction. The catalysts were characterized by N2 physical adsorption, XRD, TPR, TEM, H2 chemisorption and TG techniques. Although both mesoporous catalysts were active and stable for CO2 reforming of CH4, one-pot EISA synthesized catalyst showed superior catalytic performance to that prepared by impregnation method. It could be attributed to the higher nickel dispersion and stronger metal to support interaction of one-pot EISA synthesized catalyst, since small nickel crystalline size could retard coking and strong metal to support interaction could resist sintering.

• A mesoporous NiMA catalyst was prepared by one-pot EISA method.
• Prepared catalyst shows small Ni particle size and strong Ni-support interaction.
• The catalyst exhibits good catalytic performance for CO2 reforming of CH4.
• Carbon deposition is greatly suppressed over this catalyst.