Nickel nanoparticles supported on magnesium silicate MWW molecular sieve as an efficient catalyst for dry reforming of methane

Magnesium silicate delaminated MWW layers (Mg-DMLs) with two-dimensional (2D) crystal morphology were synthesized by a single-step hydrothermal conversion of borosilicate MWW precursor using magnesium nitrate aqueous solution. As hydrothermal temperature increased from 100 to 180 °C, the crystal structures of Mg-DMLs were changed from crystalline three-dimensional (3D) tectosilicate to amorphous 2D phyllosilicate via delaminated MWW structure. Meanwhile, the substitution of framework B by Mg occurred resulting in the continuous increase of Mg content and basicity of Mg-DMLs as a function of hydrothermal temperature. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study differentiated the framework Mg species on Mg-DML-x (x = 100–160 °C) and MgO on Mg-DML-180. Owing to the strong metal-support interaction originated from framework Mg species, the highest dispersion of Ni species was obtained on Ni/Mg-DML-160, resulting in the outstanding catalytic activity and stability. The present study suggests that the synergic effect of appropriate framework Mg species with Lewis basicity and the structural 2D MWW character can result in a promising catalyst for dry reforming of methane.