Nanoscale heat management enhanced photothermal methane dry reforming with carbon dioxide

Methane and carbon dioxide catalytic conversion through dry reforming is crucial both technically and academically because it generates syngas solely from greenhouse gas emissions. Given that this is an energy-intensive endothermic process, the integration of photothermal catalysis is essential for reducing or replacing fossil energy input. Nanoscale heat transfer within catalysts influenced by various encapsulation strategies plays a key role in overall catalytic efficiency. In this regard, different thermal environments are generated using nickel-based catalysts embedded in the thermally insulating TS-1 zeolite matrix. TS-1 zeolite limits the growth of nickel particles and regulates internal energy, achieving a remarkable photothermal CO₂ conversion rate of 53.6% in a single pass at 450°C, exceeding the thermodynamic equilibrium limit by 300%. It also demonstrates excellent stability over more than 300 h of testing, with a near-ideal 1:1 stoichiometric ratio of H₂ to CO.