One-Step Solvothermal Synthesis of Ni Nanoparticle Catalysts Embedded in ZrO(2) Porous Spheres to Suppress Carbon Deposition in Low-Temperature Dry Reforming of Methane

Ni nanoparticle catalysts embedded in ZrO(2) porous spheres and ZrO(2) porous composite spheres, SiO(2)-ZrO(2), MgO-ZrO(2), and Y(2)O(3)-ZrO(2), with 83−115 nm diameter and 167–269 m(2)/g specific surface area were prepared by a one-pot and one-step solvothermal reaction from precursor solutions consisting of Ni(NO(3))(2)‧6H(2)O, Zr(O(n)Bu)(4), and acetylacetone in moist ethanol combined with either Si(OEt)(4), magnesium acetylacetate, or Y(O(i)Pr)(3). The obtained Ni catalysts have high specific surface areas of 130–196 m(2)/g, even after high-temperature reduction by H(2) at 450 °C for 2 h. They were utilized as catalysts for low-temperature dry reforming of methane (DRM) at 550 °C to suppress carbon deposition on Ni nanoparticles. The Ni catalysts embedded in SiO(2)-ZrO(2) and Y(2)O(3)-ZrO(2) demonstrated high catalytic activity and long stability in the reaction. Moreover, carbon deposition on Ni nanoparticles in the DRM reaction was effectively suppressed in when using the SiO(2)-ZrO(2) and Y(2)O(3)-ZrO(2) composites. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11671-022-03683-7.