Optimizing the CH 4 / CO 2 dry reforming catalysts: Insights from Ni/ SBA ‐16, Ni/ KIT ‐6, and Ni/ MCM ‐41 supported on silica with different mesopore symmetries

Abstract Catalyst deactivation due to carbon deposition and sintering poses a significant challenge to the efficient dry reforming of CH 4 and CO 2 into syngas, particularly at high Ni loadings. To tackle this difficulty, ordered mesoporous silicas with varied pore symmetries were employed as supports in this study to synthesize the Ni‐based catalysts using hydrothermal treatment. The 10% Ni/MCM‐41 catalyst exhibited the highest conversion rates for CO 2 (81%) and CH 4 (77%), with favourable H 2 /CO (0.92) ratios indicating efficient syngas production Higher Ni concentrations increase active sites and catalytic performance, they also increase carbon deposition, reducing catalyst durability. At lower Ni loadings (4% Ni), catalysts with a 3D pore structure showed improved activity and stability, effectively reducing carbon deposition. This study demonstrates that optimized mesopore symmetries and Ni loadings can enhance catalyst efficiency and durability for syngas production.