Dry reforming of methane over Ni/Ce0.62Zr0.38O2 catalysts: Effect of Ni loading on the catalytic activity and on H2/CO production

The activity of ceria–zirconia-supported nickel catalysts (Ni/CZ) with various loadings of nickel (2, 4 and 10 wt. %) was studied in the case of low-temperature dry reforming of methane (DRM). XRD, S BET , SEM, TPD-CO 2 and thermogravimetry were used to determine the physicochemical properties of the catalysts and of the carbon deposits formed on the surface. It was found that the agglomerates of the Ni-active phase are formed on the surface of the support for high loadings of nickel. The best conversions of CO 2 and CH 4 and an optimum ratio H 2 /CO = 1 were obtained for the catalysts with the highest Ni content. It was also found that loading has an influence on the amount of carbon deposits formed in the DRM process.