Optimizing the CH4/CO2 dry reforming catalysts: Insights from Ni/SBA-16, Ni/KIT-6, and Ni/MCM-41 supported on silica with different mesopore symmetries

Catalyst deactivation due to carbon deposition and sintering poses a significant challenge to the efficient dry reforming of CH 4 and CO 2 into syngas, particularly at high Ni loadings. To tackle this difficulty, ordered mesoporous silicas with varied pore symmetries were employed as supports in this study to synthesize the Ni-based catalysts using hydrothermal treatment. The 10% Ni/MCM-41 catalyst exhibited the highest conversion rates for CO 2 (81%) and CH 4 (77%), with favourable H 2 /CO (0.92) ratios indicating efficient syngas production Higher Ni concentrations increase active sites and catalytic performance, they also increase carbon deposition, reducing catalyst durability. At lower Ni loadings (4% Ni), catalysts with a 3D pore structure showed improved activity and stability, effectively reducing carbon deposition. This study demonstrates that optimized mesopore symmetries and Ni loadings can enhance catalyst efficiency and durability for syngas production.