Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane Over Nanocomposite Ni/ZrO2 Catalysts

A systematic study of the size effect of zirconia nanocrystals on nickel-catalyzed reforming of methane with CO₂ shows that extremely stable Ni/ZrO₂ catalysts are obtainable by hydrogen reduction of impregnated nickel nitrate on zirconia particles with sizes less than 25 nm. The same preparation method with larger particles of zirconia results in catalyst samples that deactivate rapidly in the reforming reaction. Comprehensive characterization with XRD, TPR/TPD, and TEM shows that the stable Ni/ZrO₂ catalysts are better described as nanocomposites of size comparable to Ni metal (9-15 nm) and zirconia (7-25 nm) nanoparticles. The high percentage of the Ni-zirconia boundary or perimeter in the nanocomposite catalysts is believed to be crucial for the extremely stable catalytic activity.