Carbon dioxide reforming of methane over Ni-In/SiO2catalyst without coke formation

It was found that coke formation on Ni/SiO2, used in dry reforming of methane, can be eliminated completely by addition of indium to the catalyst. The interaction of the two metals was suggested by the results of TPR, CO-TPD and XPS measurements. The presence and uniform distribution of NiIn and Ni2In alloy nanoparticles after reduction at 700°C of the calcined catalyst was shown by HAADF-STEM, HRTEM and EDX analysis. The indium atoms dilute the nickel surface inhibiting the formation of multiple-bonded carbon species thereby hindering the development of carbon nanostructures on the catalyst surface during dry reforming.