Abstract
We report the synthesis and characterization, reaction kinetics, and deactivation mechanism of a series of catalysts with metallic nickel (Ni) and molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) particles supported on zeolite Y (Ni-Mo2C/FAU) in methane steam reforming (MSR) reaction at 850 °C. Despite a low Ni loading of 2.4 wt%, MSR on Ni-Mo2C/ FAU exhibits high activity and stability, yet deactivation of Ni-FAU is significant. Further investigations elucidate that the catalyst deactivation is caused by Ni particle sintering via Ostwald ripening instead of coking, and steam induces hydroxylated Ni surface that accelerates sintering. Moreover, Mo2C boosts the activity and stability of Ni on zeolite Y by enhancing CH4 activation rather than activating H2O. The interplays among Mo2C and Ni particles dynamically balance the carbon formation and consumption rates, and inhibit Ni sintering. This study demonstrates that high MSR activity and stability can be achieved on transition metal carbide - Ni catalysts with systematically tuned compositional, structural, and interfacial factors.
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