Influence of pore distribution on catalytic performance over inverse CeO2/Co3O4 catalysts for CH4/CO2 reforming

A series of inverse CeO2/Co3O4 catalysts with different Ce loading was prepared via the hydrothermal process and microemulsion method, and characterized by XRD, BET, H2-TPR and TGA–DSC techniques. The catalysts exhibited high activity and moderate H2 and CO selectivity for CH4/CO2 reforming under atmospheric pressure and 750 °C. The results showed that the CeO2/Co3O4 catalysts with double pore distribution could provide more active sites as well as better gas circulation channels, which could reduce the internal diffusion resistance and improve the catalytic performance for CH4/CO2 reforming.

The curves of CeO2/Co3O4 (1:1) and CeO2/Co3O4 (1:2) catalysts were single pore distribution (Fig. 3A), and the wide pore size was favorable for the gas diffusion. The curves of catalysts became double pore distribution when the Ce/Co molar ratio varying from 1:3 to 1:6 (Fig. 3B). The micropores could provide the more active sites, and the mesopores could offer the gas diffusion channels from the particle surface to the interior [16]. Further decreasing the Ce/Co molar ratio to 1:8, the interaction between CeO2 and Co3O4 became weaker in compare with the other catalysts.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide