Methane Conversion in Hydrogen on Copper-Based Catalysts

In recent years, there has been significant interest in the dry reforming of methane (DRM) process, aimed at converting methane and carbon dioxide—identified as the most abundant greenhouse gases—into synthesis gas, comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This reaction offers the advantage of mitigating or even eliminating two molecules known to be harmful and environmentally polluting. However, the primary challenge associated with dry reforming is the gradual deactivation of catalysts over time. This is primarily due to the endothermic nature of the reaction, necessitating operation at high temperatures to achieve substantial conversion. This elevated temperature poses a significant risk of carbon deposition, leading to rapid catalyst deactivation. Within the same context, our study focuses on the dry reforming of methane using mixed oxide based on copper as a catalyst. A soft chemistry technique has been employed for the synthesis of our catalytic systems, followed by optional heat treatment at various temperatures. The preparation method significantly influences the textural and structural properties of the catalysts, as evaluated through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET method, and high-temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD-HT), and, along with their reactivity in the dry reforming of methane. Strong correlations have been established between textural, structural and catalytic properties.