Effect of the Y2O3–ZrO2 support composition on nickel catalyst evaluated in dry reforming of methane Original Research Article

Nickel catalysts with a load of 5 wt.% Ni, supported on pure ZrO2 and ZrO2 stabilized with 4 mol%, 8 mol% and 12 mol% of Y2O3, were prepared by the polymerization method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction with hydrogen (TPR-H2), specific surface area (BET) and electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and tested as catalysts for carbon dioxide reforming of methane. The XRD patterns showed the presence of the oxide precursor (NiO) and the tetragonal phase of a Y2O3–ZrO2 solid solution. According to the TPR-H2 analysis, the reduction of various NiO species was influenced by the composition of the support. Catalytic tests were conducted at 800 °C for 6 h, and the composition of the gaseous products and the catalytic conversion rate depended on the composition of the Y2O3–ZrO2 solid solution and its influence on the supported NiO species. A direct relation was observed between the variation in the support, the nickel species supported on it and the performance in the catalytic tests.