Methane dry reforming over boron nitride interface-confined and LDHs-derived Ni catalysts

Improving catalytic stability of nickel-based catalysts in terms of coking and sintering-resistance is urgent for methane dry reforming. Here, we rationally designed and originally developed an efficient and stable boron nitride interface-confined and layered double hydroxides (LDHs)-derived Ni catalysts (NiMA-BN-M-R) for methane dry reforming. It was demonstrated that the confinement derived from the interface between h-BN and LDHs-derived (Ni,Mg)Al2O4-sheets were responsible for well-dispersed Ni nanoparticles. The in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy results indicate the strong CO2 adsorption with enhancement of both CH4 and CO2 activation over NiMA-BN-M-R, resulting in the fast formation of carbonate and hydroxyl species which is beneficial for methane dry reforming reaction. The hydroxyl species can spontaneously react with the CHx* to form desired products and prevent coke formation, thus improving the stability of Ni-based catalysts. Eventually, the NiMA-BN-M-R catalyst showed excellent stability after it was employed in the reaction for 20 h and regenerated for another 100 h reaction. The confinement effect of the h-BN/(Ni,Mg)Al2O4-sheets interface and the strong metal support interaction are primary reasons for the excellent stability of the NiMA-BN-M-R catalyst. This work unlocks the development of a high thermal stability composites catalysts for methane dry reforming.