CeNiO3 perovskite nanoparticles synthesized using gelatin as a chelating agent for CO2 dry reforming of methane

CeNiO3 perovskite nanoparticles were synthesized using gelatin as a chelating agent to catalyze the CO2 dry reforming reaction. The optimization of gelatin concentration affects the formation of Ni coordinated on the B-sites of CeNiO3. CeNiO3 shows catalytic stability for 60 h with ∼50% CO2/CH4 conversion and a H2/CO ratio of ∼0.8 when obtained using low concentrations of gelatin (0.05 g, 0.1 g). The exsolution of Ni nanoparticles from CeNiO3 structures occurs during reduction treatment, expanding the crystal lattices of CeO2. A high gelatin concentration (0.2 g) reduced Ni mobility and restricted Ni–Ce contacts. The uncoordinated Ni in CeNiO3 exposes a high surface area (10.12 m2 g−1) for CH4 dissociation, consequently increasing the H2/CO ratio to ∼1.5 with 78% CH4 and 53% CO2 conversion. In situ DRIFTS analysis showed that CH4 readily dissociates in the absence of CO2, but CO2 completes the reaction cycles by removing the carbon as CO gas