Highly stable ytterbium promoted Ni/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts for carbon dioxide reforming of methane

The influence of Yb on Ni(20 wt%)/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts (prepared via a sol-gel method) for use in the dry reforming of methane was investigated. It was found that the addition of low quantities of Yb (1-2 wt%) led to significant increases in catalytic activity and catalyst stability, and the production of H-2 and CO at a ratio close to unity (similar to 0.95). Higher levels of Yb doping (3-8 wt%) did not achieve similar increases in activity as those observed in the lower level doped catalysts.