Nanosized nickel ferrite catalysts for CO2 reforming of methane at low temperature: effect of preparation method and acid-base properties

Activity and selectivity of nanosized nickel ferrites have been studied for hydrogen and syngas production via the CO2 reforming of methane (DRM). The catalysts were prepared by two different methods: (i) co-precipitation (CP) route using nitrates salts as precursors and (ii) hydrothermal (HT) method using chlorides as starting salts. The materials were characterized by several techniques: HT-XRD, TGA-DTA, XRD, BET, LRS, TPR, SEM. Surface acid-base measurements were performed by 2-propanol decomposition (IPA) and catalysts were tested in DRM reaction. A relationship is established between the method of preparation, the solid structure, the surface acid-base properties and the catalytic activity of iron-nickel solids in DRM reaction. The surface acid-base properties seem to play an important role in DRM reaction.