Recent Advances in Strong Metal-Support Interaction Engineering for Dry Reforming of Methane Catalysts

Dry reforming of methane (DRM) simultaneously converts methane and carbon dioxide-two primary greenhouse gases-into valuable syngas for sustainable fuel and chemical production. However, the practical implementation of DRM is hindered by catalyst deactivation caused by metal sintering and carbon deposition under harsh reaction conditions. Strong metal-support interactions (SMSI) have emerged as a powerful strategy to enhance catalyst stability and activity by modulating the electronic structure, surface chemistry, and dispersion of active metal species. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in engineering SMSI within non-noble (e.g., Ni-, Co-, and Fe-based) and noble metal (e.g., Rh-, Ru-, and Pt-based) catalysts for DRM. Emphasis is placed on various approaches, such as oxide encapsulation, alloy formation, defect engineering, and the design of single-atom catalysts, which strengthen metal-support coupling and improve coke resistance. Furthermore, insights from in situ characterization techniques are discussed to elucidate the structural evolution and mechanistic roles of SMSI during the reaction. The review concludes with critical perspectives on future research directions, including dynamic SMSI modulation, scalable synthesis strategies, and industrial testing. Collectively, these advances establish SMSI as a central design principle for the development of robust and durable DRM catalysts, paving the way for practical greenhouse gas utilization.