Nickel-Ceria Based Catalyst For Syngas Production From Dry Reforming of Methane

Abstract

The dry reformation of methane (DRM) provides a sustainable method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by transforming carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) into syngas (CO and H2). This thesis investigates the production and catalytic efficacy of Ni-Ce catalysts based on alumina by the sol-gel technique. The main goal was to enhance catalyst efficacy for syngas and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MW-CNTs) manufacturing while tackling prevalent issues including carbon deposition and catalyst deactivation. The synthesized catalysts were comprehensively characterized employing techniques such as Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), carbon dioxide temperature-programmed desorption (CO2-TPD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). These approaches provide insights into the structural characteristics, reducibility, surface acidity/basicity, crystallinity, and morphological stability of the catalysts. Particular emphasis was placed on the advancement of alumina-supported perovskite-type Ni-Ce catalysts, which demonstrated enhanced resistance to carbon deposition while preserving catalytic activity. Additionally, a regeneration mechanism was created to reinstate catalytic performance post-deactivation, providing a pragmatic method to extend catalyst longevity. The study enhances DRM by offering an in-depth knowledge of Ni-Ce perovskite-type catalysts, with ramifications for greener energy generation and the manufacture of precious carbon nanomaterials.