Exploring enhanced syngas production via the catalytic performance of metal‐doped X‐Ni/CeO₂ (X = Zr, La, Sr) in the dry reforming of methane

Background The quest to manufacture large amounts of syngas to bridge fossil fuels and the renewable energy ecosystem stimulates the creation of efficient and stable heterogeneous catalysts. The NiCeO 2 catalysts, synthesized via ultrasonic‐assisted citric acid complexation, are highly efficient for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction. Different promoter metals (Zr, La and Sr) were tested for catalytic performance and syngas production. A range of analyses, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), N 2 physisorption, H 2 temperature‐programmed reduction, CO 2 temperature‐programmed desorption, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, were employed to characterize the physicochemical properties of the catalysts. Results XRD results indicated the formation of NiO, CeO 2 , solid solution ceria–zirconia, perovskite LaNiO 3 and SrNiO 3 crystalline phases. FESEM results showed the promoted catalysts (Zr, La, Sr) produce large pores to facilitate reactant diffusion, with zirconia specifically creating a spiderweb morphology. At 800 °C, the CH 4 and CO 2 conversions follow the sequence of NiCeO 2 catalyst (CH 4 = 54%, CO 2 = 45%) < Sr/NiCeO 2 (CH 4 = 60%, CO 2 = 67%) < La/NiCeO 2 (CH 4 = 85%, CO 2 = 84%) < Zr/NiCeO 2 (CH 4 = 95%, CO 2 = 87%). The integration of promoters in DRM catalysts has notably improved carbon formation resistance, as evidenced by the following ranking: Zr/NiCeO 2 (5.1 wt%) < commercial catalyst (6.0 wt%) < La/NiCeO 2 (7.85 wt%) < Sr/NiCeO 2 (10.9 wt%) < NiCeO 2 (11.3 wt%). Conclusion This study demonstrates that incorporating promoters, particularly Zr, in NiCeO 2 significantly enhances resistance to carbon formation. It offers valuable insights into selecting metal catalyst promoters for excellent catalytic performance in DRM.