La2O3-CeO2-Supported Bimetallic Cu-Ni DRM Catalysts

Abstract

The present work is focused on nickel catalysts supported on La2O3-CeO2 binary oxides without and with the addition of Cu to the active component for the dry reforming of methane (DRM). The catalysts are characterized using XRD, XRF, TPD-CO2, TPR-H2, and low-temperature N2 adsorption–desorption methods. This work shows the effect of different La:Ce ratios (1:1 and 9:1) and the Cu addition on the structural, acid base, and catalytic properties of Ni-containing systems. The binary LaCeOx oxide at a ratio of La:Ce = 1:1 is characterized by the formation of a solid solution with a fluorite structure, which is preserved upon the introduction of mono- or bimetallic particles. At La:Ce = 9:1, La2O3 segregation from the solid solution structure is observed, and the La excess determines the nature of the precursor of the active component, i.e., lanthanum nickelate. The catalysts based on LaCeOx (1:1) are prone to carbonization during 6 h spent on-stream with the formation of carbon nanotubes. The Cu addition facilitates the reduction of the Cu-Ni catalyst carbonization and increases the number of structural defects in the carbon deposition products. The lanthanum-enriched LaCeOx (9:1) support prevents the accumulation of carbon deposition products on the surface of CuNi/La2O3-CeO2 9:1, providing high DRM activity and an H2/CO ratio of 0.9.