Low temperature steam reforming of methane over Ni–Ce(1−x)Zr(x)O2 catalysts under severe conditions

Steam reforming of methane (SRM) is the primary method to produce hydrogen. Commercial Ni-based catalysts have been optimized for SRM with excess steam (H2O/CH4 > 2.5) at high temperatures (>700 °C). However, commercial catalysts are not suitable under severe reaction conditions such as stoichiometric steam over methane ratio (H2O/CH4 = 1.0) and low temperature (600 °C). In this study, SRM has been carried out at a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 155426 h−1 over Ni–Ce(1−x)Zr(x)O2 catalysts prepared by a co-precipitation method. The CeO2/ZrO2 ratio was systematically varied to optimize Ni–Ce(1−x)Zr(x)O2 catalysts at a H2O/CH4 ratio of 1.0 and at 600 °C. 15 wt.% Ni–Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 exhibited the highest CH4 conversion as well as stability with time on stream due to high oxygen storage capacity.

► 15 wt.% Ni–Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 exhibited the highest CH4 conversion at 600 °C in SRM.
► This is due to high Ni dispersion, strong thermal resistance, enhanced reducibility.
► Ni–Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 can be a promising steam reforming catalyst for a compact reformer.