Oxygen-promoted plasma-catalytic dry methane reforming over mesoporous catalysts for oxygenate production

Abstract

Plasma-catalytic dry methane reforming is an advanced approach for converting methane and carbon dioxide into syngas, hydrocarbons and liquid oxygenates, offering a sustainable pathway for greenhouse gas utilization. Plasma is used to trigger chemical reactions at relatively low temperatures, making it more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional high-temperature methods. In present work, a plasma-driven process of dry methane reforming was performed in dielectric barrier discharge reactor filled with mesoporous catalysts. The catalysts based on mesoporous materials MCM-41, SBA-15 and MCF were synthesized and characterized by the various physico-chemical methods. These catalysts were selected for their high surface area and tailored pore structure, which may assist in enhancing plasma-catalyst interactions, improving conversion efficiency, and promoting selectivity toward desired products. It was shown that Ni-based catalysts mainly promoted syngas and C₂H₆ formation, whereas Cu-based catalysts favored in liquid oxygenate yield enhancement. Cu-containing catalyst based on mesoporous MCF material has shown better CO₂ conversion due to open wide mesopores. The oxygen addition to the CH₄/CO₂ mixture was studied. It was revealed that both gaseous products and oxygenate yields were enhanced in presence of O₂. Methanol yield was increased due to parallel reactions of dry methane reforming and partial methane oxidation.