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Synthesis and Testing of Supported Pt-Cu Solid Solution Nanoparticle Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation
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To Coke or Not to Coke: When Pd Is Not Noble Anymore under Methane Dry Reforming Conditions
Mahdi Hosseinpour1, Thomas F Winterstein1, Clivia Hejny2
1Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
ACS Catalysis
|December 25, 2025
Summary
This study reveals how carbon forms and is removed from Pd/Zr catalysts during methane reforming. Optimizing catalyst design and regeneration is key for efficient carbon management and high activity.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Dry reforming of methane (DRM) is crucial for converting CO2 and methane into syngas.
- Catalyst deactivation due to carbon deposition is a major challenge in DRM.
- Understanding carbon formation and regeneration pathways is essential for catalyst longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fundamental pathways of carbon formation and regeneration in a Pd/Zr catalyst during DRM.
- To identify factors influencing carbon deposition and removal.
- To compare Pd/Zr with Ni/Zr systems for insights into metal choice and regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) for catalyst characterization.
- Employed temperature-resolved reaction profiling and micro-spectroscopic surface analysis.
- Systematically varied feed composition, CO2 conversion, and regeneration atmospheres.
Main Results:
- Characterized structural and chemical changes during reaction, deactivation, and regeneration cycles.
- Identified gas-phase species influencing carbon formation and clean-off.
- Determined conditions affecting reactive metal-oxide interface accessibility.
- Highlighted the role of metal choice (Pd vs. Ni) in regeneration chemistry.
Conclusions:
- Accessible metal-oxide phase boundaries are critical for CO2 activation.
- Catalyst design, operational conditions, and regeneration methods can be optimized for effective carbon management.
- Insights gained can improve noble metal-oxide catalyst performance in DRM.
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