Tri-reforming of methane over Ni/ZrO2 catalyst derived from Zr-MOF for the production of synthesis gas

Abstract Tri-reforming of methane (TRM) is a promising route for using greenhouse gases such as CH₄ and CO₂ to produce synthesis gas with the H₂/CO ratio of 1.5-2. In this study, a series of Zr-MOF synthesized via the solvothermal method, and impregnation technique was used to synthesize the nickel impregnated on MOF derived ZrO₂ catalyst. The catalyst was characterized by various methods, including N₂ adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction, TPR, CO₂-TPD, TGA, Chemisorption, FE-SEM, HR-TEM etc. Characterization results confirmed the formation of the Zr-MOF and nickel metal dispersed on MOF derived ZrO₂. Further, the tri-reforming activity of the catalyst developed was evaluated in a downflow packed bed reactor. The various catalysts were screened for their TRM activity at different temperatures (600-850oC). Results demonstrated that TRM was highly favorable over the NZ-1000 catalyst due to its desirable physicochemical properties, including nickel metal surface area (2.3 m²/gcat⁻¹), metal dispersion (7.1%), and nickel metal reducibility (45%), respectively. Over NZ-1000 catalyst and optimum H₂/CO ratio of ~1.6-2 was achieved at 750 °C, and it was stable for longer period of Time.