Hindered methane decomposition on a coke-resistant Ni-In/SiO2 dry reforming catalyst

Decomposition of methane has been investigated by mass spectrometry assisted pulse chemisorption experiments at 600 °C on freshly reduced and on carburized Ni/SiO2 and Ni-In/SiO2 dry reforming catalysts. The results showed complete methane decomposition with stoichiometric hydrogen production on freshly reduced Ni/SiO2, while strong hydrogen chemisorption and partial methane decomposition was observed on Ni-In/SiO2. Hydrogen production decreased on both carburized catalysts and dissociative methane chemisorption without hydrogen formation was observed on the bimetallic catalyst. This difference in methane activation might be one of the reasons for the absence of coke on the bimetallic catalyst during dry reforming of methane.