A Comparative Synthesis and Physicochemical Characterizations of Ni/Al2O3 Nanocatalyst via Sequential Impregnation and Sol-Gel Methods Used for Dry Reforming of Methane

The use of Biogas as a feed for dry reforming of methane has many environmental and economical advantages. Despite the high activity and low cost of Ni/Al2O3 catalyst, it shows pour stability due to coke deposition and active phase sintering. In this study, the effect of the synthesis method (impregnation vs. sol-gel) was evaluated on (1) physicochemical properties, (2) activity and (3) stability of Ni/Al2O3 catalyst. Extraction of physicochemical properties of nanocatalysts by XRD, FESEM, FTIR, BET, PSD and TG-DTG showed that the sol-gel method produced amorphous phases, uniform nanoparticles´ distribution and a higher surface area in comparison with impregnation method. FTIR analysis confirmed the existence of desired functional groups and lack of spinel compounds which were in agreement with XRD analysis. PSD analysis (