Study of the Synthesis of Multi-Cationic Sm-Co-O, Sm-Ni-O, Al-Co-O, Al-Ni-O, and Al-Co-Ni-O Aerogels and Their Catalytic Activity in the Dry Reforming of Methane.

Dense multi-cationic Sm-Co-O, Sm-Ni-O, Al-Co-O, Al-Ni-O, and Al-Ni-Co-O oxide aerogels were prepared by epoxide-driven sol-gel synthesis. Catalysts for dry reformation of methane, SmO/Co, SmO/Ni, AlO/Co, AlO/Ni, AlO/Co, and Ni were prepared by reduction of aerogels with hydrogen and their catalytic activities and C-deposition during dry reformation of methane were tested. Catalytic tests showed high methane conversion (93-98%) and C-deposition (0.01-4.35 mg C/gh). The highest content of C-deposits after catalytic tests was determined for AlO/Co and AlO/Ni catalysts, which was related to the formation of Al alloys with Co and Ni. A uniform distribution of Co and Ni nanoparticles (in the form of a CoNi alloy) was found only for the AlO/Co and Ni catalysts, which showed the highest activity as well as low C deposition.