Strong impact of indium promoter on Ni/Al2O3 and Ni/CeO2-Al2O3 catalysts used in dry reforming of methane
Anita Horváth, Miklós Németh, A. Beck, Boglárka Maróti, György Sáfrán, G. Pantaleo, Leonarda Francesca Liotta, Anna Maria Venezia, Valeria La Parola
Abstract
Herein, the promotion effect of only 0.3 wt% indium on 3% Ni/Al2O3 and 3% Ni/CeO2-Al2O3 catalysts prepared by deposition-precipitation over a commercial alumina and on the CeO2-modified support was studied. Catalyst characterization by XRD, TPR, XPS, TEM, CO-DRIFTS was performed. The catalytic properties were investigated and coke formation was analyzed under temperature ramped CH4-decomposition and in Dry Reforming of Methane (DRM). The unique impact of indium was compared to the well-known effects of ceria additive. The carbon deposition on Ni/Al2O3 blocking the reactor could be only delayed due to ceria on Ni/CeO2-Al2O3, while NiIn/Al2O3 was able to maintain the activity in DRM. Indium modifier acting in parallel with ceria over NiIn/CeO2-Al2O3 determined the least coking, but the least catalytic activity. The results were discussed in terms of double role of In, acting as a ceria modifier, upgrading its oxidative properties and as a metal modifier, getting alloyed with Ni.