Dry reforming of methane by stable Ni–Mo nanocatalysts on single-crystalline MgO

TLDR

Dry reforming of methane with CO₂ produces syngas that can be converted into liquid fuels, but catalysts often deactivate due to coking and sintering. The authors employed highly crystalline fumed MgO to support Mo‑doped Ni nanoparticles, which migrate to step edges upon heating, forming larger, highly stable particles. This migration passivates coking sites, yielding a catalyst that remains highly active and durable at 800 °C. Published in Science, issue p.

Abstract

Overcoming surface defects Dry reforming of methane with carbon dioxide creates a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide—synthesis gas—which can be converted into liquid fuels. However, heterogeneous catalysts for this reaction are prone to deactivation through unwanted carbon deposition (coking) and loss of surface area of adsorbed metal nanoparticles through agglomeration (sintering). Y. Song et al. used highly crystalline fumed magnesium oxide to support molybdenumdoped nickel nanoparticle catalysts (see the Perspective by Chen and Xu). On heating, the nanoparticles migrated on the oxide surface to step edges to form larger, highly stable nanoparticles. This process also passivated sites for coking on the oxide to produce a catalyst with high activity and longevity at 800°C. Science , this issue p. 777 ; see also p. 737