Nanoscale Ni enveloped in hydrochar prepared by one-step hydrothermal method for dry reforming of CH4 with CO2

Abstract In this work, sugarcane bagasse was used as carbon sources, and nickel particles supported on hydrochar were prepared by one step hydrothermal method for dry reforming of CH4 with CO2. The characterization of the catalysts demonstrated that Ni nanoparticles enveloped in hydrochar were in the rage of 4.23-15.07 nm, and Ni atom dispersion was 8.45-22.93%. The highly dispersion of nanoscale Ni particles were benefit for promoting the catalytic activity of the catalysts, and suppressing the sintering of Ni particles or carbon deposition during DRM. CH4/CO2 conversions of 81.32/93.93% over Ni10/SB-C240 were achieved after 72 h DRM reaction under 850°C and 12000 ml/g•h gas hourly space velocity (GSHV). At the same time, limit carbon deposition on the surface of the used catalyst was observed, and the carbon balance even reached to 99.86%. The influence of Ni particle size on CH4 and CO2 conversions rate was also experimentally investigated, and the results displayed that smaller Ni particle size was beneficial to promote the stability of the catalysts.