Sono-synthesis and characterization of bimetallic Ni-Co/Al2O3-MgO nanocatalyst: Effects of metal content on catalytic properties and activity for hydrogen production via CO2 reforming of CH4.

Sono-dispersion of Ni, Co and Ni-Co over Al2O3-MgO with Al/Mg ratio of 1.5 was prepared and tested for dry reforming of methane. The samples were characterized by XRD, FESEM, PSD, EDX, TEM, BET and FTIR analyses. In order to assess the effect of ultrasound irradiation, Ni-Co/Al2O3-MgO with Co content of 8% prepared via sonochemistry and impregnation methods. The sono-synthesized sample showed better textural properties and higher activity than that of impregnated one. Comparison of XRD patterns indicated that the NiO peaks became broader by increasing Co content over the support. The FESEM images displayed the particles are small and well-dispersed as a result of sonochemistry method. Also, EDX analysis demonstrated better dispersion of Ni and Co as a result of sonochemistry method in confirmation of XRD analysis. The sono-synthesized Ni-Co/Al2O3-MgO as a superior nanocatalyst with Co content of 3% illustrates much higher conversions (97.5% and 99% for CH4 and CO2 at 850 °C), yields (94% and 96% for H2 and CO at 850 °C) and 0.97 of H2/CO molar ratio in all samples using an equimolar feed ratio at 850 °C. During the 1200 min stability test, H2/CO molar ratio remained constant for the superior nanocatalyst.