Activity and stability enhancement of Ni-MCM-41 catalysts by Rh incorporation for hydrogen from dry reforming of methane

Ni incorporated and Ni–Rh incorporated bimetallic MCM-41 like mesoporous catalysts, which were synthesized following a one-pot hydrothermal procedure, showed very high activity in dry reforming of methane. Among the Ni incorporated catalysts, Ni-MCM-41-V, with a Ni/Si ratio of 0.19, showed the best catalytic performance. Rh incorporation into this catalyst by the one-pot procedure improved both activity and time on stream stability of the catalyst. However, Rh incorporation by impregnation caused instabilities due to coke formation, after about 11 h of reaction time. Occurrence of reverse water gas shift reaction caused higher CO selectivity than H2 selectivity, with the Ni incorporated catalysts. Rh incorporation into these catalysts decreased the relative significance of reverse water gas shift reaction, with respect to dry reforming reaction.