Methane reforming reactions for hydrogen production using hydrotalcite precursors and nanofibers based catalysts

CoNiMg4Al2 catalysts were synthesized using two different methods: solution blow spinning to produce nanofibers (NF), and co-precipitation to produce hydrotalcite precursors (HT). Part of the hydrotalcite sample was ground (GR) using mechanical milling to determine the effect of grinding on the catalytic performance. The three materials (NF, HT and GR) were tested in the dry and steam reforming of methane (DRM, SRM respectively) reactions during 12h stability tests at 700°C. The calcined and the used catalysts were characterized using XRD and DTA/TG analysis. All catalysts were active during the SRM and DRM tests; however, nanofibers showed a slightly higher activity in both reactions. The dry reforming of methane reaction was more susceptible to the formation of carbon deposition leading to the deactivation of the ground catalyst.