CO2 reforming of CH4 over ceria-supported metal catalysts

CO2 reforming of CH4 was studied over Fe, Co and Ni catalysts supported on cerium oxide at atmospheric pressure. Ni catalyst gave the highest activity; equilibrium conversion of methane was attained under the conditions of 1123 K, 1 g h/mol, and CO2/CH4=1, and the composition of syngas formed was almost H2/CO=1. Carbon deposition was not observed, and the catalytic activity and the syngas selectivity were stable for 24 h over the catalyst. It was found that the high temperature treatment of the catalyst at 1123 K is important for such an excellent catalytic performance. Co catalyst exhibited an activity nearly equal to that of Ni catalyst when reduced sufficiently, whereas Fe catalyst showed a poor activity.