Ni–Al hydrotalcite-like material as the catalyst precursors for the dry reforming of methane at low temperature

Nickel–aluminium and magnesium–aluminium hydrotalcites were prepared by co-precipitation and subsequently submitted to calcination. The mixed oxides obtained from the thermal decomposition of the synthesized materials were characterized by XRD, H 2 -TPR, N 2 sorption and elemental analysis and subsequently tested in the reaction of methane dry reforming (DRM) in the presence of excess of methane (CH 4 /CO 2 /Ar = 2/1/7). DMR in the presence of the nickel-containing hydrotalcite-derived material showed CH 4 and CO 2 conversions of ca. 50% at 550 °C. The high values of the H 2 /CO molar ratio indicate that at 550 °C methane decomposition was strongly influencing the DRM process. The sample reduced at 900 °C showed better catalytic performance than the sample activated at 550 °C. The catalytic performance in isothermal conditions from 550 °C to 750 °C was also determined.