Studies on the Reaction Mechanism of CH4/CO2 Reforming over Co/[gamma]-Al2O3 Catalyst

XPS/AES and pulse reaction characterizations were combined to study the reaction mechanism of CH4/CO2 reforming to syngas over Co/γ-Al2O3. Surface carbide carbons formed from CH4 dissociation were active C species for CO generation. Metallic Co species played an important role in dissociating CH4 to form carbide carbon and H2, abstracting an O atom from CO2 molecule, and transferring O atom to carbide to form CO.