Carbon dioxide reforming of methane over Ni/Al2O3 treated with glow discharge plasma

Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was first treated by argon glow discharge plasma followed by calcination in air. The catalyst prepared this way exhibits an improved low-temperature activity for carbon dioxide reforming of methane, compared to the catalyst prepared without plasma treatment. The catalyst characterization using XRD, chemisorption and TEM analyses show that the plasma treatment followed by calcination thermally induces a generation of specific nickel species on the support. This kind of "plasma"metal species is highly dispersed on the support and can remain stable during reforming reactions. The average size of the "plasma" metal particles is ca. 5 nm. The plasma treatment can also enhance the anti-carbon deposition performance of the catalyst. The formation of carbon species that is responsible for catalyst deactivation can be inhibited. The catalyst stability is therefore improved.