Ni-Co Catalyst Supported on Ceria Modified ZrO2-MgO (Ni-Co/CeO2-ZrO2-MgO): Preparation, Characterization and Activity Study in Carbon Dioxide Reforming

Ni-Co catalyst supported on ceria modified support has been prepared, characterized and tested for carbon dioxide reforming of methane. Catalyst has been characterized using nitrogen-physisorption, temperature programmed techniques (H2-TPR, CO2-TPD, CH4-TPD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTA). Ni-Co/CeO2-ZrO2-MgO prepared by surfactant assisted-impregnation method has shown excellent coke resistivity and high activity for carbon dioxide reforming of methane in 80 h activity test under the conditions of 750 C, 1 atm, and an GHSV of 125000 ml/g h. In stability study, bimetallic catalyst showed constant activity up to 60 h before it gradually decreased. The bimetallic catalyst also exhibited excellent regenerability by restoring its catalytic activity as the fresh catalyst through 1 h regeneration treatment under air. The high performance of bimetallic catalyst was due to mesoporous structure, high reducibility and synergetic effect between Ni and Co particles. It is believed that the bimetallic components improved the catalyst resistance to metal oxidation and high redox property of ceria also play important role to improve the catalyst activity as well as inhibits coke deposition which were responsible to maintain the stability of the catalyst.