Synergism in NiMoOx precursors essential for CH4/CO2 dry reforming

• Roles of NiMoO4 as precursor for carburization were addressed the first time.
• Nickel is stabilized in NiMoO4, sintering of it during carburization is lessened.
• Ni-Mo2C(CP) has smaller Ni particles and higher CH4 dissociation rate.
• Ni-Mo2C(CP) performs better than Ni-Mo2C(MM).

Ni-Mo2C(CP) and Ni-Mo2C(MM) catalysts were prepared through carbonization of NiMoOx precursors prepared by co-precipitation (CP) and mechanical mixing (MM), respectively. Different preparation methods lead to different chemical compositions, reduction properties, as well as carbonization process of NiMoOx precursors. It was found that Ni-Mo2C(CP) has better Ni dispersion than Ni-Mo2C(MM). With smaller Ni particles and higher CH4 dissociation rate, Ni-Mo2C(CP) performs better than Ni-Mo2C(MM) in CH4/CO2 reforming. It is deduced that nickel is better stabilized in NiMoO4 than in NiO, and the sintering of metallic nickel during high-temperature carburization is less severe with NiMoO4(CP). Based on the results, we address for the first time the key roles of NiMoO4 as a precursor for the formation of Ni-Mo2C effective for CH4/CO2 reforming.

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