Silicalite-1 confined ultrafine nickel nanocrystals for efficient photothermal catalytic methane dry reforming

Abstract

Full spectrum driven photothermal catalytic methane dry reforming is an effective strategy to realize the conversion of two greenhouse gases into fuels. In the meantime, metal sintering as well as carbon deposition affect the catalytic stability at high temperatures. Herein, sample of silicalite-1 molecular sieve confined ultrafine Ni nanoparticles (Ni@S-1) was prepared by one-step hydrothermal method for photothermal catalytic methane dry reforming. Only upon focused light irradiation, extremely high production of H₂ and CO (28.3 and 40.9 mmol g⁻¹ min⁻¹) was achieved. The high photothermal catalytic activity is due to the photothermal conversion caused by strong plasma absorption and the activation of molecules by light irradiation. Compared with Ni loaded amorphous silicon oxide (Ni/SiO₂), the strong confinement effect of S-1 enables Ni nanoparticles to maintain high dispersion and strong CO₂ adsorption at high temperatures, thereby improving catalytic stability. This research achievement provides an effective way to achieve efficient and stable dry reforming of methane.