Modification of Ni/SiO_2 Catalysts by Means of a Novel Plasma Technology

Atmospheric high frequency cold plasma jet was applied to modify Ni/SiO2 catalysts. The catalysts prepared by two different methods with plasma jet were compared with conventional catalysts. BET, XRD, H2-TPD and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM） were used to characterize these catalysts. The results showed that the catalyst prepared with plasma jet had higher nickel dispersion, larger specific surface area and smaller nickel particle size, about 5 nanometres. Detailed analyses revealed that improved structure and characteristic of the plasma catalyst were benefited from the large amount of hydrogen atoms in the plasma jet, by which the catalyst reduction can be easily achieved in shorter period of time at lower temperature, thus avoiding sintering and conglomeration of the active particles and the support. The activity of catalysts was investigated in the methane reforming with CO2. It is shown that the conversions of CH4 and CO2, the yields of H2 and CO were all significantly increased for the plasma catalysts.