Klötzer/Pen­ner lab - Methane Dry Reform­ing over Perovskite- and Inter­metal­lic Com­pound-derived Cat­a­lysts

This project deals with the activation of reactive carbon species during methane dry reforming. Central goal is an improved design of coke-resistant methane dry reforming catalysts on perovskite- and intermetallic/alloy-based materials with enhanced long-term and thermochemical stability. Through adequate choice of oxide or intermetallic compound precursors, we are able to tune the chemical and structural features of the reactive carbon intermediates within the dry reforming network. Methodologically, we exclusively rely on in situ and operando characterization of catalysts in their working state, which again enables us to connect catalytic and structural properties directly.

Ni exsolution from a Sr₂NiMoO₆ double perovskite during methane dry reforming and associated formation of a Ni-double perovskite interface (top) and formation of a reactive zirconium carbide phase in a carbon dioxide-methane mixture during the in situ activation of a Ni-Zr alloy and the associate formation of a Ni-ZrO₂ interface (bottom).