Steam reforming of methane on LaNixFe1-xO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) perovskites.: Reactivity and characterisation after test

LaNixFe1-xO3 perovskites (0 less than or equal tox less than or equal to1) are efficient catalysts in steam reforming of methane (optimum ratio H2O/CH4 = 1) for syngas production. For low x values (x less than or equal to 0.4), the three-metal structure is partly maintained with a strong interaction between free nickel and the perovskite, the carbon formation is limited and the regeneration of the three-metal perovskite by recalcination is possible. For higher x values (x > 0.4). only a bimetallic LaFeO3 is maintained during the reaction and the catalysts perform as free nickel on LaFeO3 and La2O3. Coke formation becomes important and the regeneration gives two distinct perovskites, LaFeO3 and LaNiO3. The increase in H2O/CH4 from 1 to 3 enhances the oxidating power, leads to a decrease in the activity and favours CO2 formation. (C) 2001 Academie des sciences / Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.