Design of highly active Ni$_x$Co$_{1-x}$Al$_2$O$_4$ ($x$ = 0.1 – 0.5) catalysts for the dry reforming of methane reaction

On the first step using co-precipitation method from Ni-, Co-, Al-containing solution a precipitates with a general composition of Ni$_x$Co$_{1-x}$Al$_2$O$_4$ ($x$ = 0.1 – 0.5) were prepared. Calcination the obtained precipitates at 700$^\circ$C in air makes the precursors of catalysts for DRM with a stable spinel-like framework in which nickel and cobalt species are homogeneously incorporated. Reduction of the precursors at 700$^\circ$C in H$_2$ and further work under reaction medium leads to formation of the active phase which represents by the ensembles of Ni–Co alloy nanoparticles located on the surface of nanostructured spinel. The effect of the catalysts composition on catalytic properties in DRM was investigated. The high and stable catalytic activity of representative samples in DRM conditions with extremely short contact time ($\tau$ = 30 ms) due to the formation of 17 – 18 wt.% active phase which represents highly dispersed (3 – 4 nm) Ni–Co alloy nanoparticles stabilized on the spinel with nanocristalline structure.