Carbon dioxide reforming of methane to synthesis gas over Ni/Si3N4 catalysts

Silicon nitride supported nickel catalyst prepared by impregnation using nickel nitrate solution was employed for the carbon dioxide reforming of methane. The catalyst was tested at 800 °C under atmospheric pressure. The influences of Ni loading and calcination temperature on the catalytic performance were investigated. It was found that the nickel loading and calcination temperature strongly influenced the catalytic performance. Over the 7 wt. % Ni/Si3N4 catalyst calcined at 400 °C, the conversions of CH4 and CO2 can achieve 95% and 91%, respectively. Appropriate interaction between the metal and the basic support makes the catalyst more resistant to sintering and coking, and thus an excellent stability.