A review on catalyst development for conventional thermal dry reforming of methane at low temperature

Abstract

AbstractCarbon dioxide (CO2) utilization and conversion, as one of the main parts of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), is not only considered an important way to mitigate global warming but also an attractive industrial route to produce valuable fuels and chemical feedstocks. Catalytic dry reforming of methane (DRM) is a promising technology for carbon dioxide utilization and conversion as it can produce syngas, carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen (H2) for widespread industrial production processes. In most studies of the DRM reaction, a relatively high operational temperature (i.e., >700°C) has been applied since the reactivity limitation of widely used Ni‐based catalysts at low temperatures and the extremely endothermic property of the DRM reaction. However, high cost and high requirement of thermal stability for catalysts have become a severe problem impeding the further commercialization of DRM technology. Decreasing the operational temperature (i.e., <700°C) is considered a promising way for further application of the DRM route to convert CO2 and produce syngas. However, traditional Ni‐based catalysts suffered from unsatisfied reactivity and severe coke formation, leading to quick deactivation at low temperatures. Developing a catalyst with excellent catalytic activity, coke resistance, and improved thermal stability is necessary for low‐temperature DRM reactions. In recent years, with significant development in materials, catalyst design, and computational simulation, some synthesized catalysts have achieved considerable improvement in catalytic performance in low‐temperature DRM. Hence, a review of recent development on low‐temperature DRM catalysts is provided here to further guide and profoundly understand catalyst design for low‐temperature DRM.