Syngas Production via CO2 Reforming of CH4 over Zr-Ni/SBA-15

In the present study, the effect of Zirconium (Zr) promoter (1-7wt %) on the properties of Ni/SBA-15 for syngas from CO2 reforming of CH4 were studied. Zr-Ni/SBA-15 catalyst was prepared using a one-pot sol-gel method. The physiochemical properties of Zr-Ni/SBA-15 catalysts were characterized using XRD, BET and FTIR. Meanwhile the performances of the catalysts were tested using a stainless steel fixed bed reactor at 800 °C, atmospheric pressure and CO2:CH4 feed ratio of 1:1. The ordered mesoporous structure of SBA-15 support was proven by N2 adsorption desorption isotherms. The surface area and pore volume of catalyst decreased with the increase of Zr loading as Zr and Ni particles occupied the SBA-15 frameworks and thus tended to expand the SBA-15 pore. ZrO2 peak of 1Zr-Ni/SBA-15 was not detected in the XRD results indicating a good dispersion of the Zr species on the SBA-15 surface. The catalytic activity test revealed that the optimum Zr loading was 1 wt% with CH4 conversion, CO2 conversion and H2:CO ratios of 87.07%, 74.01%, and 0.42 respectively. This was due to the presence of the Zr species that promoted a better dispersion of Nickel (Ni) active sites on the SBA-15 surfaces as proven by the XRD and FTIR analysis. All catalysts maintained good catalytic activity up to 900 °C with less than 5 % weight loss as analyzed by TGA.