A comparative study of molybdenum phosphide catalyst for partial oxidation and dry reforming of methane.

Molybdenum phosphide (MoP) was firstly used as a catalyst for partial oxidation of methane (POM) and its catalytic performance for POM was compared with that for dry reforming of methane (DRM). It was found that the MoP phase was the dominant active site in POM and DRM reactions, and the activity would gradually decrease when more and more MoP was converted to Mo 2 C phase (non-dominant active site) and then rapid deactivation would occur due to bulk oxidation of catalyst. The redox type mechanism over MoP catalyst was vitally important to keep its structure reasonably well during methane reforming reactions. The MoP catalyst revealed a higher catalytic stability in POM than in DRM, attributing to the higher H 2 yield obtained in POM, which can promote and maintain the redox cycle of catalyst. • The MoP phase was the dominant active site in methane reforming reactions. • The MoP catalyst revealed a higher catalytic stability in CH 4 -O 2 than in CH 4 -CO 2. • The higher H 2 yield obtained in methane reforming reactions can promote and maintain the redox cycle of MoP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]