Nickel catalysts based on porous nickel for methane steam reforming

The influence of synthesis conditions on the phase composition and texture of porous nickel supports as plates with a magnesium oxide underlayer were investigated by X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen absorption, and electron microscopy combined with X-ray microanalysis. Nickel catalysts supported on these plates were studied. Thermal treatment of Mg(NO₃)₂ in nitrogen yields a magnesium oxide underlayer with a small specific surface area (support I). The replacement of nitrogen with hydrogen leads to a larger surface area (support II). The formation of MgO is accompanied by the incorporation of Ni²⁺ cations from the oxide film into the underlayer. Upon subsequent reduction with hydrogen or under the action of the reaction medium, these cations form fine crystallites of nickel. The supports having an oxide underlayer show a higher activity in methane steam reforming than the initial metallic nickel. Nickel catalysts on supports I and II show similar activities. The activity of the catalysts was stable throughout 50-h-long tests; no carbon deposits were detected by TEM.