Nickel catalyst supported on magnesium oxide with high surface area and plate-like shape: A highly stable and active catalyst in methane reforming with carbon dioxide

Nanocrystalline magnesium oxide with a high surface area and a highly defective surface structure with plate-like shape was synthesized by a facile method using polyvinyl alcohol as a surfactant. The prepared MgO was employed as support for nickel catalysts with various nickel loadings in methane reforming with carbon dioxide. The results showed high catalytic activity and stability for the prepared catalysts due to the formation of NiO–MgO solid solution and high basicity of support. The 5% Ni/MgO catalyst was very effective in this process and exhibited stable catalytic performance for 50 h of reaction as well as a high resistance against carbon formation.

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► Nickel catalysts were evaluated through methane reforming with carbon dioxide.
► Magnesium oxide with high surface area and plate-like shape was used as support.
► Basic property and facile synthesis method introduce MgO as an effective support.
► Formation of a NiO–MgO solid solution leads to finely dispersed Ni particles.
► 5% Ni/MgO was a very effective and stable catalyst during 50 h of reaction in this process.