Synthesis of a catalytic support from natural cellulose fibers, and its performance in a CO2 reforming of CH4

Porous carbon was synthesized from natural cellulose fibers and its performance as a catalytic support was investigated for a CO2 reforming of CH4. Ni particles supported on cellulose fibers showed little agglomeration, even after a 168-h reforming reaction, but superior catalytic activity and long-term durability compared to a Ni/Al2O3 model catalyst. One of the reasons for these results was the lower extent of coking originating from the carbonaceous support. Another reason for these results was the high dispersion of Ni particles on the cellulose support, which was caused by the presence of alkaline earth metals such as Ca and Mg in the original structure of the support. Alkaline earth metals in the shape of nanosized particles significantly improved Ni dispersion and the interaction between the Ni particles and the support; they also retarded the agglomeration and sintering of the Ni particles. The cellulose fibers treated with different conditions were characterized by Raman and were observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction was performed to estimate Ni particle size before and after the catalytic usage. The interaction between the Ni particles and the support was measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

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► Porous carbon for use as a catalytic support was synthesized by using natural cellulose fibers.
► Ni/cellulose showed superior activity and long-term durability in the CO2 reforming of CH4.
► Alkaline earth metals improved the dispersion and retarded the agglomeration and sintering of Ni.
► These study results open a new avenue for the application of various biomass resources.