Abstract
The catalyst MNi0.9Zr0.1O3 (M = La, Ce, and Cs) was prepared using the sol-gel preparation technique investigated for the dry reforming of methane reaction to examine activity, stability, and H-2/CO ratio. The lanthanum in the catalyst LaNi0.9Zr0.1O3 was partially substituted for cerium and zirconium for yttrium to give La0.6Ce0.4Ni0.9Zr0.1-xYxO3 (x = 0.05, 0.07, and 0.09). The La0.6Ce0.4Ni0.9Zr0.1-xYxO3 catalyst's activity increases with an increase in yttrium loading. The activities of the yttrium-modified catalysts La0.6Ce0.4Ni0.9Zr0.03Y0.07O3 and La0.6Ce0.4Ni0.9Zr0.01Y0.09O3 are higher than the unmodified La0.6Ce0.4Ni0.9Zr0.1O3 catalyst, the latter having methane and carbon dioxide conversion values of 84% and 87%, respectively, and the former with methane and carbon dioxide conversion values of 86% and 90% for La0.6Ce0.4Ni0.9Zr0.03Y0.07O3 and 89% and 91% for La0.6Ce0.4Ni0.9Zr0.01Y0.09O3, respectively. The BET analysis depicted a low surface area of samples ranging from 2 to 9 m(2)/g. The XRD peaks confirmed the formation of a monoclinic phase of zirconium. The TPR showed that apparent reduction peaks occurred in moderate temperature regions. The TGA curve showed weight loss steps in the range 773 K-973 K, with CsNi0.9Zr0.1O3 carbon deposition being the most severe. The coke deposit on La0.6Ce0.4Ni0.9Zr0.1O3 after 7 h time on stream (TOS) was the lowest, with 20% weight loss. The amount of weight loss increases with a decrease in zirconium loading.