Simultaneous oxidative conversion and CO2 reforming of methane to syngas over Ni/vermiculite catalysts

• Vermiculite is an attractive catalyst support used for CO2 reforming of methane.
• Oxidative conversion and CO2 reforming of methane to syngas have been coupled.
• The Ni/vermiculite catalyst showed high catalytic activity and stability.
• The Ni/vermiculite catalyst can suppress coke depositing.

Modified-vermiculite supported Ni catalysts were prepared and characterized by XRD, BET, TGA, TPR and TEM. The catalytic activity of these catalysts for simultaneous oxidative conversion and CO2 reforming of methane to syngas was evaluated. The results indicated that vermiculite has a great potential as a support of Ni component due to its excellent thermal stability. Among these catalysts, the expanded-vermiculite supported Ni catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic activity and stability. It was found that Ni oxides supported on vermiculite was reduced more easily and also Ni-based vermiculite catalysts suppressed coke depositing in the reaction, in comparison with alumina-supported Ni catalyst.