Advances in dry reforming of methane to syn gas production: MOF-derived materials as efficient catalysts

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is an attractive route for the simultaneous valorization of two greenhouse gases, CH 4 and CO 2 , into syngas (H 2 /CO), a key intermediate for fuels and value-added chemicals. However, the practical application of DRM remains limited by catalyst deactivation, mainly caused by carbon deposition, metal sintering, and insufficient activation of CO 2 under high-temperature conditions. Although conventional Ni-based catalysts are widely studied because of their low cost and high activity, their structural instability under DRM conditions continues to hinder long-term operation. This review focuses on MOF-derived catalysts as a structurally tunable platform for addressing these limitations. Unlike general overviews of DRM catalysts, this review specifically analyzes how the design of MOF precursors and their controlled thermal transformation can regulate metal dispersion, alloy formation, support composition, porosity, oxygen vacancies, and metal-support interactions. Particular attention is given to Ni-, Co-, Ce-, Zr-, Al-, and Mg-containing MOF-derived systems, where confined metal nanoparticles, bimetallic alloys, core-shell architectures, and porous carbon or oxide matrices contribute to improved coke resistance and thermal stability. The review further links these structural features with DRM reaction pathways, emphasizing the cooperative activation of CH 4 on metallic sites and CO 2 on oxygen vacancy-rich or basic support sites. By correlating synthesis strategy, catalyst structure, reaction mechanism, and deactivation behaviour, this review provides a targeted structure-performance framework for the rational design of MOF-derived DRM catalysts. The analysis highlights that MOF-derived materials are not merely alternative catalyst supports, but programmable precursors for constructing multifunctional catalytic interfaces capable of improving activity, coke tolerance, and stability in syngas production.