The novel perovskite-type Ni-doped Sr_0.92Y_0.08TiO₃ as a reforming biogas (CH₄+CO₂) for H₂ production

In this study, novel perovskite-type Sr_0.92Y₀.₀₈TiO₃-based catalysts were investigated for hydrogen production by the dry reforming of biogas (comprising CH₄ and CO₂). Ni-doped Sr_0.92Y₀.₀₈TiO₃ catalysts with improved catalytic activity were grown using the Pechini method. The prepared catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction to check for impurities introduced in the perovskite structure by doping method. The reforming of methane over perovskite-based catalysts has been extensively investigated; however, detailed understanding of the activating catalytic sites under different conditions is still lacking. To understand the details of the activating catalyst mechanism, transmission electron microscopy, temperature-programed reduction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis were performed under different activating conditions. XPS analysis of 5mol% Ni-doped Sr_0.92Y_0.08TiO₃ revealed that the H₂-activated catalyst lost active lattice oxygen sites and Ni sites due to formation of Ni hydroxide. Thus, the H₂-activated catalyst has lower catalytic activity than the N₂-activated one.