Sintering- and coking-resistant nickel catalysts embedded in boron nitride supported nickel aluminate spinels for dry reforming of methane

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) showed prospective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if the sintering- and coking-resistant Ni-based catalysts were successfully developed. In this work, emergent Ni nanoparticles embedded in boron nitride supported nickel aluminate spinels were originally developed for DRM. The acidity and basicity derived from nickel aluminate spinels could enhance the decomposition of CH4 and adsorption of CO2, respectively, which provides an ensemble effect with emergent Ni nanoparticles and cooperatively enhances the intrinsic activity. Moreover, the strong metal-support interaction derived from exsolution effects as well as the increased contact interface between nickel aluminate spinels and boron nitride would suppress the metal sintering while the boron nitride could inhibit the carbon deposition. The two-dimensional Raman spectra demonstrated the deposited carbon featured with low graphitic degree in the catalysts. This work provides a novel approach for the development of sintering- and coking-resistant Ni-based catalysts for carbon dioxide reforming of methane.