Synthesis of Ni-based catalysts supported on nitrogen-incorporated SBA-16 and their catalytic performance in the reforming of methane with carbon dioxide

SBA-16 molecular sieve was synthesized by soft template method and modified with ammonia under high temperature to obtain the nitrogen-incorporated SBA-16 (SBA-16-N); with SBA-16 and SBA-16-N as the supports, nickel based catalysts (Ni/SBA-16 and Ni/SBA-16-N) were prepared by the incipient impregnation method. The related supports and Ni-based catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nitrogen physisorption, carbon dioxide temperature programmed desorption, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis; the catalytic performance of Ni/SBA-16 and Ni/SBA-16-N in the reforming of methane with carbon dioxide was comparatively investigated under 500-800°C. The results indicate that after the nitriding modification, the Ni/SBA-16-N catalyst exhibits much higher activity in methane reforming with CO2 and higher selectivity to syngas than the Ni/SBA-16 catalyst without nitridation treatment. During the nitriding modification at high temperature, O atoms in the SBA-16 skeleton are partially replaced by N atoms, which can strengthen the support basicity and the interaction between the support and the nickel nanoparticles. All these may promote the dispersion of nickel nanoparticles on SBA-16-N and the adsorption of CO2 on Ni/SBA-16-N, leading to the improvement of the activity and stability of the Ni/SBA-16-N catalysts in methane reforming with carbon dioxide.