One-Step Solvothermal Synthesis of Ni Nanoparticle Catalysts Embedded in ZrO2 Porous Spheres to Suppress Carbon Deposition in Low-Temperature Dry Reforming of Methane

Ni nanoparticle catalysts embedded in ZrO 2 porous spheres and ZrO 2 porous composite spheres, SiO 2 -ZrO 2 , MgO-ZrO 2 , and Y 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 , with 83−115 nm diameter and 167–269 m 2 /g specific surface area were prepared by a one-pot and one-step solvothermal reaction from precursor solutions consisting of Ni(NO 3 ) 2 ‧6H 2 O, Zr(O n Bu) 4 , and acetylacetone in moist ethanol combined with either Si(OEt) 4 , magnesium acetylacetate, or Y(O i Pr) 3 . The obtained Ni catalysts have high specific surface areas of 130–196 m 2 /g, even after high-temperature reduction by H 2 at 450 °C for 2 h. They were utilized as catalysts for low-temperature dry reforming of methane (DRM) at 550 °C to suppress carbon deposition on Ni nanoparticles. The Ni catalysts embedded in SiO 2 -ZrO 2 and Y 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 demonstrated high catalytic activity and long stability in the reaction. Moreover, carbon deposition on Ni nanoparticles in the DRM reaction was effectively suppressed in when using the SiO 2 -ZrO 2 and Y 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 composites. Graphical abstract