Effect of Modified Alumina Support on the Performance of Ni-Based Catalysts for CO2 Reforming of Methane

The CO2 reforming of methane to syngas was examined over five different supported catalysts. In this study, 5% Ni was used as the active metal part of the catalyst. To better comprehend the impact of the supports on the catalytic properties, 5% Ni-based catalysts were characterized using nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, XRD, H2-TPR, CO2-TPD, TGA, TPO, FTIR, and Raman. The results showed that the catalyst support with the highest surface area provided the best catalytic activity. The acquired CH4 and CO2 conversions at 700 °C were 58.2% and 67.6%, respectively, with a hydrogen/carbon ratio of 0.85. The TGA investigation of the high-surface-area sample produced a minimum carbon deposition of 11.2 wt.%, and in the CO2-TPD investigation, the high-surface-area sample exhibited the absence of a peak in the strong-basic-sites zone. The formation of NiAl2O4 spinel, moderate basicity, and the high surface area explained the outperformance of the high-surface-area catalyst sample.