Preparation and characterization of Ni-Co-Mg-Al mixed oxides derived from layered double hydroxides and their performance in the dry reforming of methane

The hydrotalcite route was used to prepare Ni and Co oxides catalysts, with different Ni/Co contents. The catalytic performance of these oxides was investigated with the dry reforming of methane in order to produce energy vector from renewable energy. The samples were characterized, before and after calcination, by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (IR), and determination of the specific surfaces by the BET method. After calcination at 800 °C under an air flow, the hydrotalcite structure was completely decomposed. The dry reforming of methane was carried out using a mixture of CH4:CO2 (1:1) after 2 hours of reduction under an H2 flow at 800 °C. Ni-Co based catalysts revealed better catalytic activity than the Co based one.