PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND CATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF CLAY-BASEDNICKEL-CATALYSTS FOR METHANE REFORMING

Naturally occurring clays and pillared clays are used as supports of n ickel catalysts for the methane reforming reaction with carbon dioxide to synthesis gas. The structural and textural characteristics of the supports and catalysts are systematically examined by N-2 adsorption/d esorption and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. It is found that the pore structures and surface properties of supports greatly affect the catalytic activities of the catalysts prepared. The catalysts support ed on the mesoporous clays or pillared clays are obviously superior to those on microporous supports because the mesoporous supports are hig hly thermal stable compared to the microporous ones. It is found that introducing lanthanum to the supports can improve the catalyst basicit y and thus enhance the catalytic activities of these catalysts. Deacti vation of catalysts prepared and factors influencing their stability a re also discussed. (C) 1998 Academic Press.