Ni/CeO2-thin ceramic layer depositions on ceramic monoliths for syngas production by Oxy Steam Reforming of biogas

•Synthesis of Ni/CeO2 nanopowders by combustion and precipitation-impregnation methods•Deposition on cordierite monolith by support dip-coating into acid-free catalyst dispersion•Catalytic activity towards Oxy-Steam Reforming (OSR) of Biogas•High carbon-resistance of combustion synthesized Ni/CeO2 catalyst.•High activity of combustion synthesized Ni/CeO2 catalyst washcoated on monolith.

Ni-CeO2 catalysts (metals load equal to 7.5 wt.%) as thin oxide layers on ceramic monoliths have been obtained by support dip-coating into acid-free stable catalyst dispersion. Ni-based catalysts were prepared by precipitation-dry-impregnation method or solution combustion synthesis and characterized by XRD, BET, CO-Chemisorption, TPR, TEM and SEM-EDX techniques.Coating load (15–20 wt.%) was controlled by multiple depositions on the basis of the slurry rheological behavior. Procedure goodness was evaluated in terms of coating load and adhesion performance. Homogeneous and well adherent layers of ca. 10–20 μm were found. The performance of final structured systems was evaluated towards biogas oxy-steam reforming (OSR) reaction, highlighting the influence of morphological and structural properties of synthesized Ni-based powders on the catalytic activity. Catalytic tests demonstrated superior performances of solution combustion synthesized Ni/CeO2 catalyst washcoated on monolith, especially at high space velocity.