Concentrated-solar catalytic methane dry reforming with ultrahigh conversion and durability
Zhiqiang Rao, Zeai Huang, Kuikui Zhang, Junbu Wang, Yibo Feng, Kaiwen Wang, Yaolin Chen, Yuehan Cao, Lina Li, Anqiang Jiang, Kaibo Zheng, Ying Zhou
Abstract
Methane dry reforming not only utilizes two potent greenhouse gases of methane and carbon dioxide, but also provides a valuable feedstock for the production of chemicals. However, this process has been heavily hindered by high operating temperature and coke formation with catalyst deactivation over the last century. Herein, we propose an approach whereby concentrated-solar catalytic methane dry reforming addresses these longstanding issues. By leveraging focused light as the sole energy source and utilizing a well-designed catalyst, the catalyst with Ni-O4 coordination active center achieves high conversion rates of 93.6% for CH4 and 93.7% for CO2, meanwhile sustaining stability for over 800 hours. Particularly noteworthy is the light-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency reaching 25.9%. This research represents a significant leap forward in integrating renewable energy sources with chemical production, offering a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional thermochemical processes for generating valuable chemicals. Dry reforming of methane (DRM) supports the circular economy and energy sustainability, yet its application is limited by high operating temperatures and coke formation. Here, the authors introduce a concentrated-solar catalytic DRM strategy that overcomes these challenges.