A comparative study of Ni catalysts supported on Al2O3, MgO–CaO–Al2O3 and La2O3–Al2O3 for the dry reforming of ethane

CO 2 utilization through the activation of ethane, the second largest component of natural and shale gas, to produce syngas, has garnered significant attention in recent years. This work provides a comparative study of Ni catalysts supported on alumina, alumina modified with CaO and MgO, as well as alumina modified with La 2 O 3 for the reaction of dry ethane reforming. The calcined, reduced and spent catalysts were characterized employing XRD, N 2 physisorption, H 2 -TPR, CO 2 -TPD, TEM, XPS and TPO. The modification of the alumina support with alkaline earth oxides (MgO and CaO) and lanthanide oxides (La 2 O 3 ), as promoters, is found to improve the dispersion of Ni, enhance the catalyst's basicity and metal-support interaction, as well as influence the nature of carbon deposition . The Ni catalyst supported on modified alumina with La 2 O 3 exhibits a relatively stable syngas yield during 8 h of operation, while H 2 and CO yields decrease substantially for Ni/Al 2 O 3 . • Ni catalysts on Al 2 O 3 modified with MgO/CaO and La 2 O 3 for the DER reaction. • Modification of Al 2 O 3 improves the catalyst basicity and metal-support interaction. • Extensive ethane cracking into CH 4 takes place during the first 3–4 h. • Ni/La–Al 2 O 3 is the most active and stable with H 2 and CO yields remaining constant. • Modification of Al 2 O 3 aids the coke gasification and reduces catalyst degradation.