Ni-Ag Catalysts for Hydrogen Production through Dry Reforming of Methane: Characterization and Performance Evaluation

To investigate the influence of Ag and the loading of Ni species, Ni-Ag type catalysts were synthesized with varying Ni/Ag ratios (1, 1.5 and 2) using the coprecipitation method. The catalysts were extensively characterized using various techniques such as TG-DSC-SM, XRD, ICP, BET, SEM-EDX and TPR and subsequently tested in the CH₄/CO₂ reaction without any pretreatment. Regardless of the ratio employed, a phase mixture containing NiO and Ag was observed after calcination under air between 600 °C and 1200 °C. SEM analysis confirmed the presence of a close interface between Ag and NiO. The specific surface area was found to be significantly higher for the catalyst with lower Ni content (R = 1). TPR analysis demonstrated that the inclusion of Ag facilitated the reduction of Ni at lower temperatures. XRD analyses of the spent catalyst confirmed catalyst reduction during the reaction. Among the samples, a catalyst with Ni/Ag = 1 exhibited superior catalytic activity without any pretreatment under a reduction atmosphere, in which case the conversions of methane and CO₂ at 650 °C amounted to 38 and 45 mol%, respectively, with H₂/CO = 0.7 and 71 mol% of H₂. The presence of Ag species enhances the stability of the Ni catalyst and improves catalytic performance in the dry reforming of methane.