Tuning the properties of nickel nanoparticles inside SBA-15 mesopores for enhanced stability in methane reforming

- Calcination rate affects pore plugging and dispersion of nickel.
- Optimum calcination rate enhances nickel stability in dry reforming of methane.
- Coke is absent on confined particles of nickel inside the mesopores of SBA-15.

The properties of nickel nanoparticles inside the mesopores of SBA-15 support were tuned by a careful control of the calcination rate. Ni/SBA-15 catalysts containing 5 wt% nickel were prepared following three different calcination rate values (0.25 −0.5 −4.5 °C min−1). Their properties were characterized by N2-sorption, X-ray diffraction (low and wide angles), temperature programed reduction and transmission electron microscopy. These catalysts were then tested in dry reforming of methane (DRM). As a result, the catalyst calcined at 0.5 °C min−1 resulted in the formation of strong interaction between the active phase and the SBA-15 support, high nickel dispersion and accessibility that greatly enhanced its stability in dry reforming of methane.

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