Effect of interstitial carbon atoms in core-shell Ni3ZnC0.7/Al2O3 catalyst for high-performance dry reforming of methane

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) on Ni-based catalysts provides an economically and environmentally pivotal route to generate synthesis gas. However, coke formation on Ni surface by the growth of carbon atoms is the main reason for catalyst deactivation and reactor blockage. Here, we propose a reaction-induced method to incorporate and store active carbon atoms into nickel octahedral sites in core-shell NiZnC/AlO. This strategy can fundamentally avoid C−C bond formation and feasible oxidation of NiZnC in low-temperature DRM under CO-rich condition. About 2 nm of thin-layer AlO encapsulated NiZnC is explored as the carbon reservoir to accommodate sufficient interstitial carbon atoms, and less than 5% NiZn was observed under CH/CO < 1/1 for 100 h. The dynamic balance of carbon atom storage and conversion in robust NiZnC contributes to the enhanced activity, stability, coke and oxidation resistance, and distinct reaction pathway in low-temperature DRM.