Enhancing Catalytic Performance with Sol-Gel Hydrotalcite-Derived Nickel Oxide Catalysts for Dry Reforming of Methane: An Examination on Reactivity and Coke Formation

Hydrotalcite-based materials are preferred as catalysts due to their versatility and easiness of their synthesis. This work studies supported nickel catalysts made from hydrotalcites through sol-gel synthesis, Ni-EDTA impregnation, and coprecipitation. The synthetized hydrotalcites present nanocapsular morphology and dispersed nickel nano-oxide particles after calcination at 500 degrees C. The catalysts were evaluated at 600 degrees C and 800 degrees C for 8 hours and demonstrated high conversions and varying yields, with sol-gel oxide catalysts (Sg(OxMix)) showing the best performance with the highest reactivity and controlled coke formation at 800 degrees C after 14 hours of testing. The mixed oxide morphology promotes electronic effects and inhibits carbon encapsulation of metallic particles. Principal component analysis was performed to explain fluctuations in the reaction pathway.