Effect of transition metals (Cu, Co and Fe) on the autothermal reforming of methane over Ni/Ce0.2Zr0.1Al0.7Oδ catalyst

The transition metals (Cu, Co, and Fe) were applied to modify Ni/Ce0.2Zr0.1Al0.7O delta catalyst. The effects of transition metals on the catalytic properties of Ni/Ce0.2Zr0.1Al0.7O delta autothermal reforming of methane were investigated. The Ni-supported catalysts were characterized by XRD, TPR and XPS. Tests in autothermal reforming of methane to hydrogen showed that the addition of transition metals (Cu and Co) significantly increased the activity of catalyst under the conditions of lower reaction temperature, and Ni/Cu0.05Ce0.2Zr0.1Al0.65O delta was found to have the highest conversion of CH4 among all catalysts in the operation temperatures ranging from 923 K to 1023 K. TPR, XRD and XPS measurements indicated that the cubic phases of CexZr1-xO2 solid solution were formed in the preparation process of catalysts. Strong interaction was found to exist between NiO and CexZr1-xO2 solid solution. The addition of Cu improved the dispersion of NiO, inhibited the formation of NiAl2O4, and thus significantly promoted the activity of the catalyst Ni/Cu0.05Ce0.2Zr0.1Al0.65O delta.