A critical review of recent advancements in catalytic dry reforming of methane: Physicochemical properties, current challenges, and informetric insights

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) are highly hazardous air pollutants that pose significant threats to the environment and human health and contribute indirectly to global warming. The dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction has been investigated in numerous applications, including hydrogen production and catalytic converters. Catalytic DRM is one of the most effective approaches for utilizing CO₂ and CH₄ in syngas, which has garnered a lot of scholarly attention as a model reaction throughout the past couple of decades. Previous studies have extensively investigated the development of catalysts for DRM, with a particular emphasis on noble metal catalysts, catalyst configuration, and the influence of process parameters. However, despite the current understanding, there still needs to be a research gap in comprehending the synergistic interactions between catalytic activity and physicochemical features. Addressing this gap is of utmost importance. Therefore, a state-of-the-art review that clarifies new advancements for specific recently developed catalytic DRM systems with a complete evaluation and the synergistic link to physicochemical properties and their correlation with catalyst deactivation is critically urgent. Furthermore, in this study, we emphasized Ni-based catalysts as a promising option for DRM, given their potential, wide availability, and cost-effectiveness, owing to their high activity. Also, we discussed the limitations associated with this particular active metal. Additionally, this review integrates informetric analysis, employing robust search resources such as Web of Science. This analysis provides valuable insights into the DRM reaction, facilitating a deeper understanding of research trends and developments. This review can serve as a critical reference for scientists and experts engaged in mitigating CO₂ and CH₄ using DRM reactions and supports the academic and industrial sectors in their research and development efforts by contributing to developing well-designed catalysts suitable for future applications.