Modification of CeNi(0.9)Zr(0.1)O(3) Perovskite Catalyst by Partially Substituting Yttrium with Zirconia in Dry Reforming of Methane

Methane Dry Reforming is one of the means of producing syngas. CeNi(0.9)Zr(0.1)O(3) catalyst and its modification with yttrium were investigated for CO(2) reforming of methane. The experiment was performed at 800 °C to examine the effect of yttrium loading on catalyst activity, stability, and H(2)/CO ratio. The catalyst activity increased with an increase in yttrium loading with CeNi(0.9)Zr(0.01)Y(0.09)O(3) catalyst demonstrating the best activity with CH(4) conversion >85% and CO(2) conversion >90% while the stability increased with increases in zirconium loading. The specific surface area of samples ranged from 1–9 m(2)/g with a pore size of 12–29 nm. The samples all showed type IV isotherms. The XRD peaks confirmed the formation of a monoclinic phase of zirconium and the well-crystallized structure of the perovskite catalyst. The Temperature Program Reduction analysis (TPR) showed a peak at low-temperature region for the yttrium doped catalyst while the un-modified perovskite catalyst (CeNi(0.9)Zr(0.1)O(3)) showed a slight shift to a moderate temperature region in the TPR profile. The Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) curve showed a weight loss step in the range of 500–700 °C, with CeNi(0.9)Zr(0.1)O(3) having the least carbon with a weight loss of 20%.