Ni/Ce0.2Zr0.8O2 Catalysts for Dry Reforming of Methane: Effects of Surfactant Amount on the Support Structure and Properties

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is an effective strategy to simultaneously convert CH₄ and CO₂ into valuable syngas. However, the widely employed Ni-based catalysts often suffer from rapid deactivation due to metal sintering and deposited carbon under harsh conditions. Herein, Ni/Ce_0.2Zr_0.8O₂ catalysts were synthesized using the evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method with the addition of the triblock copolymer surfactant P123. The addition of an appropriate amount of P123 improved the Ni dispersion; reduced Ni particle size; and enhanced the activation efficiency of both CH₄ and CO₂, thus increasing the reaction rate. In addition, the addition of P123 also enhanced the surface basicity and increased the concentration of oxygen vacancies of the catalyst, which enhanced its carbon removal capability and reduced deposited carbon. The catalyst with 0.2% P123 maintained excellent catalytic activity and stability for 300 min at 700 °C, with CH₄ and CO₂ conversion of 75% and 78%, respectively. These findings provide valuable guidance for the rational design of efficient and stable Ni-based catalysts for DRM.