Ni nanocluster on modified CeO2–ZrO2 nanoporous composite for tri-reforming of methane

Modified CeO2-ZrO2 nanoporous composites have been synthesized by using a very facile solvothermal approach and Ni nanoclusters were deposited on this newly developed support by using urea deposition precipitation method. The physico-chemical properties of the prepared catalysts were thoroughly characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen physisorption (BET), temperature programmed reduction (TPR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The prepared materials have been well explored for methane activation with a well-balanced composition of H2O, CO2 and O-2. The catalysts exhibit promising activity for tri-reforming (H2O, CO2 and O-2) of methane with high selectivity towards synthesis gas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide). Moreover, reaction parameters also been optimized in detail in terms of temperature, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) and time on stream (TOS). The study demonstrates that the well synchronised catalyst system is highly stable for more than 100 h with almost a constant syngas ratio of 2.1 and over 95% methane conversion at 800 degrees C.