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Published on: December 6, 2021
Light-driven restructuring generates nanoisland NiIr alloy for efficient methane dry reforming
Chengxuan He1,2, Ruijie Yang1,2, Chenggui Zhong1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering and Industrial Catalysis, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
This study introduces a novel light-driven methane dry reforming process using a specialized alloy catalyst. This method efficiently converts greenhouse gases into syngas, offering a sustainable energy solution with enhanced catalyst stability.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Conventional thermocatalytic dry reforming of methane and carbon dioxide is energy-intensive and prone to catalyst deactivation.
- Sustainable syngas production requires innovative approaches to overcome current process limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a light-driven methane dry reforming strategy using a novel sinter-resistant nano-island alloy catalyst.
- To elucidate the mechanism of photoexcitation-induced catalyst evolution and its role in syngas production.
Main Methods:
- Utilized partially oxidized NiIr nanoclusters anchored on TiO2 as a catalyst.
- Employed in situ characterization to study catalyst behavior under photoexcitation.
- Decoupled photoelectric and photothermal effects to understand their contributions.
Main Results:
- Dynamically evolved sinter-resistant nano-island alloys were formed under photoexcitation.
- Interfacial charge oscillations facilitated a support-Ni-Ir electron transfer pathway, stabilizing the catalyst.
- Achieved a high syngas production rate (10841 mmol gcat−1 h−1) and 25.0% light-to-fuel efficiency over 100 hours.
Conclusions:
- Light-driven dry reforming with the developed alloy catalyst offers a sustainable pathway for greenhouse gas valorization.
- Localized photogenerated electrons are key for balanced syngas production, while photothermal effects enhance molecular vibrations.
- Established a design paradigm for solar-driven alloy catalysts in sustainable energy applications.
