Low-temperature catalytic conversion of greenhouse gases (CO₂ and CH₄) to syngas over ceria-magnesia mixed oxide supported nickel catalysts

Running dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction at low-temperature is highly regarded to increase thermal efficiency. However, the process requires a robust catalyst that has a strong ability to activate both CH₄ and CO₂ as well as strong resistance against deactivation at the reaction conditions. Thus, this paper examines the prospect of DRM reaction at low temperature (400–600 °C) over CeO₂–MgO supported Nickel (Ni/CeO₂–MgO) catalysts. The catalysts were synthesized and characterized by XRD, N₂ adsorption/desorption, FE-SEM, H₂-TPR, and TPD-CO₂ methods. The results revealed that Ni/CeO₂–MgO catalysts possess suitable BET specific surface, pore volume, reducibility and basic sites, typical of heterogeneous catalysts required for DRM reaction. Remarkably, the activity of the catalysts at lower temperature reaction indicates the workability of the catalysts to activate both CH₄ and CO₂ at 400 °C. Increasing Ni loading and reaction temperature has gradually increased CH₄ conversion. 20 wt% Ni/CeO₂–MgO catalyst, CH₄ conversion reached 17% at 400 °C while at 900 °C it was 97.6% with considerable stability during the time on stream. Whereas, CO₂ conversions were 18.4% and 98.9% at 400 °C and 900 °C, respectively. Additionally, a higher CO₂ conversion was obtained over the catalysts with 15 wt% Ni content when the temperature was higher than 600 °C. This is because of the balance between a high number of Ni active sites and high basicity. The characterization of the used catalyst by TGA, FE-SEM and Raman Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of amorphous carbon at lower temperature reaction and carbon nanotubes at higher temperature.