Reforming of methane with carbon dioxide over Pt/ZrO2/SiO2-Effect of zirconia to silica ratio

ZrO 2 /SiO 2 mixed oxides with different ratios (2:1 to 4:1) were prepared by a deposition–precipitation method from zirconium hydroxide and colloidal silica and used as supports for platinum nano-particles. The synthesized catalysts along with Pt/ZrO 2 reference materials were tested for CH 4 reforming with CO 2 at a high temperature of 1073 K and at high space velocity. Very high reforming activity was observed for the Pt/ZrO 2 /SiO 2 (4:1) sample among all the prepared catalysts. The effect of zirconia to silica ratio on the physico-chemical properties that determine the catalytic activity has been investigated characterizing all the catalysts after calcination, reduction as well as after reaction with several techniques. From X-ray diffraction patterns, BET and H 2 chemisorption measurements, X-ray photoelectron and FTIR spectra, the better catalytic properties of the Pt/ZrO 2 /SiO 2 (4:1) sample have been explained by higher Pt dispersion due to the absence of remaining free silica and the presence of amorphous ZrSiO 4 in higher amount. Additionally, a better thermal stability of the prepared ZrO 2 /SiO 2 supports compared to ZrO 2 was evidenced after ageing at 1073 K for 16 h in particular for the ratio 4:1. It also underlines the interest of the preparation method.