Hydrogen production by methane reforming with H2S using Mo,Cr/ZrO2–SBA15 and Mo,Cr/ZrO2–La2O3 catalysts

•Mo and Cr were added in ZrO2–SBA15 and La2O3–ZrO2 for the CH4 reforming with H2S.•The catalytic processes were developed under mild operating conditions.•High conversions of methane were tested near to 100%.•High selectivity to hydrogen was reached in the catalytic activity.

A series of supported catalysts based on ceramic type supports (ZrO2–SBA15 and ZrO2–La2O3) and refractory metals (Mo,Cr) were prepared and tested in the methane reforming with hydrogen sulfide (H2S). The main products of the reaction were hydrogen (H2) and carbon disulfide (CS2). The physicochemical properties of these catalysts were characterized by XRD, STEM and N2-BET methods mainly. The evolution of crystalline phases along the reaction led to formation of sulfides and carbides, i.e., MoS2, ZrS2 and the carbides MoC, Mo3C2, which could be the active phases. At high temperatures (1073 K–1123 K) the SBA-15 structure collapses while formation of mixed phases occurs i.e., ZrSiO4; the CH4 and H2S conversion rates were dependent on temperature and catalysts composition, however, the evolution of crystalline phases at high temperatures seems essential for achieving high activity and selectivity.

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