Monodispersed Ni and Ni-Co nanoparticles capsulated with silica for dry reforming of methane

Abstract

To figure out the intrinsic effect of Co to the enhanced activity and stability in Ni catalysts for the dry reforming of methane (DRM), the nanoreactor of N卜Cod>Si02 catalysts were synthesized, which are composed of Ni-Co nanoparticles encapsulated in the Si02 shell. The steric hindrance to the sintering was induced from the silica shell where the nanoparticles could retain their pristine size at the high temperature dry reforming of methane without serious deactivation as supported Ni catalysts showed. The optimum molar ratio of Ni/Co was determined in terms of DRM activity and stability. Also mechanisms of synergetic effect of Ni and Co are proposed by the various characterizations such as TPR, in-situ IR, EXAFS and others. Copyright © American Institute of Chemical Engineers. All rights reserved.