A Facile and Scalable Approach to Ultrathin Ni_xMg_1−xO Solid Solution Nanoplates and Their Performance for Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane

• Main Authors: Guoqiang Zhang, Zhiyun Zhang, Yunqiang Wang, Yanqiu Liu, Qiping Kang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-05-01
• Series: Catalysts
• Subjects: Ni_xMg_1-xO solid solution; carbon dioxide reforming of methane; high surface area; anti-coking
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4344/10/5/544

Carbon dioxide reforming of methane (CRM) represents a promising method that can effectively convert CH₄ and CO₂ into valuable energy resources. Herein, ultrathin Ni_xMg_1−xO nanoplate catalysts were synthesized using a scalable and facile process involving a one-pot, co-precipitation method in the absence of surfactants. This approach resulted in the synthesis of planar Ni_xMg_1−xO catalysts that were much thinner (˂8 nm) with larger specific surface area (>120 m²/g) in comparison to Ni_xMg_1−xO catalysts prepared by conventional methods. The ultrathin Ni_xMg_1−xO nanoplate catalysts exhibited high thermal stability, catalytic activity, and durability for CRM. Especially, these novel catalysts exhibited excellent anti-coking behavior with a low carbon deposition of 2.1 wt.% after 36 h of continuous reaction compared with the conventional catalysts, under the reaction conditions of the present study. The improved performance of the thin Ni_xMg_1−xO nanoplate catalysts was attributed to the high specific surface area and the interaction between metallic nickel nanocatalysts and the solid solution substrates to stabilize the Ni nanoparticles.