Preparation and characterization of Ni catalysts supported on pillared nanoporous bentonite powders for dry reforming reaction.

The Ni/pillared-bentonite catalysts with high BET area were synthesized and used in dry reforming reaction. The effects of different parameters such as calcination temperature, OH−/Al3+ ratio, temperature and time of pillaring process and the content of nickel on the textural and catalytic properties of the synthesized catalysts were studied. The results indicated that the 15 wt% Ni catalyst supported on pillared bentonite prepared under specified conditions (OH−/Al3+ = 2.2, pillaring temperature of 40 °C and pillaring time of 3 h) possessed the highest BET area (90.80 m2/g). Also, this catalyst possessed higher catalytic activity and stability with lower amount of deposited carbon in comparison to other prepared catalysts in methane reforming with CO 2. • The Ni/pillared-bentonite catalysts were synthesized and used in dry reforming reaction. • The effects of OH−/Al3+ ratio, temperature and time of pillaring process were studied. • 15 wt% Ni catalyst supported on pillared bentonite possessed the highest BET area (90.80 m2/g). • 15 wt% Ni catalyst possessed higher activity and stability with low amount of deposited carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]