Publication:

Structure and activity of nickel supported on hibonite-type La-hexaaluminates synthesized from aluminum saline slags for the dry reforming of methane

This work describes the procedures followed to obtain four hibonite-type La-hexaaluminates (La-HA) using aluminum saline slag waste as the aluminum source. Briefly, an acid-extracted aluminum solution (8.9 gAl/L) was used to synthesize the hexaaluminate by mixing with a stoichiometric amount of lanthanum nitrate and 2-propanol/polyethylene glycol/methanol/1-hexanol/glucose depending on the hydrothermal conditions of the synthesis. The results showed the formation of pure-phase hexaaluminate at 1473 K in all cases, with differences in the textural properties between the materials. The solids obtained were used as supports for nickel catalysts (10 wt.%) for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) at 973 K. The supports and catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption at 77 K, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). An effect of the textural properties, dispersión of the metallic phase and nickel-support interaction on the performance of the catalyst was found. Our results also show a new application of a catalyst synthesized from an industrial waste such as aluminum saline slags.