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.