Potential of Ni supported on KH zeolite catalysts for carbon dioxide reforming of methane

The catalytic activity of Ni on a series of catalysts supported on the synthesized KH zeolite for the CO2 reforming of methane has been investigated. The KH zeolite supports were previously synthesized via silatrane and alumatrane precursors using the sol–gel process and hydrothermal microwave treatment. Eight percent Ni was impregnated onto the synthesized KH zeolites, which have different morphologies: called dog-bone, flower, and disordered shapes. The prepared Ni/KH zeolites were tested for their catalytic activity at 700 °C, at atmospheric pressure, and at a CH4/CO2 ratio of 1. The results showed that Ni supported on dog-bone and flower-shaped KH zeolites provided better activity than that of disordered KH zeolite due to higher CH4 and CO2 conversions, a higher H2 production, and a smaller amount of coke formation on the catalyst surface. Furthermore, the stability of the Ni/KH zeolite was greatly superior to that of Ni supported on alumina and clinoptiolite catalysts after 65 h on stream.