Preparation of Co/CexZr1‐xO2‐δ Catalyst with High CH4/CO2 Reforming Performances

Abstract A series of the Co/Ce x Zr 1‐x O 2‐δ catalysts were prepared by precipitation‐impregnation method using Ce‐O‐Zr solid solutions with different Ce/Zr mole ratios as support and used for CH 4 /CO 2 reforming to produce hydrogen. The physicochemical properties of the prepared Co/Ce x Zr 1‐x O 2‐δ catalysts and precursors were studied by using H 2 ‐TPR, XRD, and CO 2 ‐TPD, and the relationship between the physicochemical properties and the CH 4 /CO 2 reforming performances was established. CeO 2 and ZrO 2 can dissolve in each other to form the corresponding Ce‐O‐Zr solid solutions, which can promote the migration of the O atoms in the lattice and facilitate the oxygen vacancies to be formed. The formed Ce‐O‐Zr solid solution can improve the metal Co to be anchored on the support surface to form metal Co active centers with high dispersion. An appropriate Ce/Zr mole ratio can promote the reduction of the catalyst precursors, which facilitate the active Co0 species, oxygen vacancies, and basic centers to be formed on the catalyst surface, thereby enhancing the adsorption and activation abilities for the reactants CO 2 and CH 4 molecules. The Co/Ce 0.15 Zr 0.85 O 2‐δ catalyst with a Ce/Zr mole ratio of 0.18 achieved CH 4 and CO 2 conversions of 67.3% and 42.7% at atmospheric pressure and 700 °C, respectively.