CO2 reforming of CH4 to syngas by Ni/Al2O3 catalyst: Effect of magnetic field on catalyst synthesis

Here, we investigated the impact of changes in the dimensions of the nickel active phase catalyst supported on alumina through the novel impregnation procedure by applying magnetic water. Two Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts have been prepared by using non-magnetized and magnetized water. The outcomes revealed that exposure to a magnetic field leads to a reduction in the surface tension of water while simultaneously causing an increase in its viscosity. The induced changes in the solvent properties cause a decrease in the capillary action and the liquid transport into the pores. The structural properties, reduction pattern, and particle size distribution of the obtained samples are studied by using BET, XRD, TPR, and TEM methods. The experimental outcomes indicated that the dimension of the nickel active size is affected by the magnetization of the water solvent, and the activation energy of the reduction is decreased for the treated catalyst, due to less interaction between Ni and the support. The catalytic performance in the CO₂ reforming of methane confirms a decrease in both conversions of the CO₂ and methane reactants and the catalyst deactivation. The deactivation kinetics were evaluated for both catalysts in the dry reforming of methane. The carbon deposited on the Ni/A has been obtained at about 1.3 μmol C.g_cat⁻¹.min⁻¹, which is higher than what is for the magnetized Ni/A_m catalyst (1.0 μmol C.g_cat⁻¹.min⁻¹).