γ-Al2O3 sacrificial template method for preparing flower-like Ni–Mg–Al catalysts for dry reforming of methane

A series of NiMgAl-X catalysts are prepared by adding the γ-Al2O3 as a sacrificial template method through co-precipitation and applied to the dry reforming of methane (DRM). The catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, H2-TPR, CO2-TPD, Raman, TPH, and TG. The results show that the appropriate addition of γ-Al2O3 can improve the structural stability of the catalyst so that the catalyst can maintain a well-shaped flower-like lamellar structure after calcination at 700 °C, improve the nickel dispersion and surface alkalinity to a certain extent, and improve its catalytic activity while maintaining good stability. The NMA-1 catalyst exhibits the highest catalytic activity of 73.7% and 83.2% conversion of CH4 and CO2 respectively after 50 h reaction, which is increased by 4.3% and 3.0% compared to the NMA catalyst.