Rh-Ni/SBA-15 prepared by two solvents method as stable catalysts for the dry reforming of methane at high pressure

The effect of Rh addition on the catalytic performance of Ni/SBA-15 catalysts was studied in the dry reforming of methane. The SBA-15 silica support was synthesized in large quantities and the metals were deposited using the two solvents impregnation method. The properties of the calcined, reduced and spent catalysts were studied using the N₂ sorption isotherms, XRD, H₂-TPR, SEM, TEM and Raman spectroscopy. It was shown that the SBA-15 porous structure was maintained throughout the study with high dispersion of the metals inside the pores. The Ni/SBA-15 catalyst was stable for more than 90h of testing owing to the porous structure of the support that stabilizes the particles and prevents their sintering; thus the promotion with 0.5 wt% Rh showed a minor improvement of the catalytic stability. The 0.5Rh-Ni/SBA-15 catalyst was also stable at 650°C and 9 bars for more than 200 min.