LAUSR

By using catalysts of $$\hbox {Co/Mg}_{1-\mathrm{x}}\hbox {Ni}_{\mathrm{x}}\hbox {O}$$Co/Mg1-xNixO (x= 0, 0.03, 0.07, 0.15; 1 wt% Co each), we performed the dry reforming of methane. The catalysts were prepared by $$\hbox {K}_{2}\hbox {CO}_{3}$$K2CO3 co-precipitation from aqueous nickel nitrate hexahydrate and magnesium nitrate hexahydrate. Impregnation of cobalt(II)acetylacetonate onto MgO-NiO was then conducted. TEM, XRD, FTIR, XRF, XPS, and BET characterizations of the catalysts were carried out. Results showed that the catalysts were reduced at $$700\, ^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$700∘C by $$\hbox {H}_{2}$$H2 prior to each reaction. $$\hbox {CH}_{4}$$CH4 and $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CO2 conversions at $$900\, ^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$900∘C of the catalysts after being tested for 200 h decreased in the arrange $$\hbox {Co/Mg}_{0.85}\hbox {Ni}_{0.15}\hbox {O}$$Co/Mg0.85Ni0.15O, $$\hbox {Co/Mg}_{0.93}\hbox {Ni}_{0.07}\hbox {O}$$Co/Mg0.93Ni0.07O, $$\hbox {Co/Mg}_{0.97}\hbox {Ni}_{0.03}\hbox {O}$$Co/Mg0.97Ni0.03O, and Co/MgO. The highest $$\hbox {H}_{2}$$H2 and CO selectivities were observed at a 1:1 $$\hbox {CH}_{4}{:}\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CH4:CO2 mole ratio. We further performed a dry reforming in the presence of low-concentration oxygen flow (1.25 Vol %) and found an increased $$\hbox {CH}_{4}$$CH4 conversion.Graphical AbstractSYNOPSIS. Dry reforming of methane (DRM) with catalyst $$\hbox {Co/Mg}_{1-X}\hbox {Ni}_{X}\hbox {O}$$Co/Mg1-XNiXO was investigated. Methane molecule adsorbed on Co metal and released $$\hbox {H}_{2 (g)}$$H2(g). Carbon deposits were observed on the surface of Co metal, and the MgO surface adsorbed $$\hbox {CO}_{2}$$CO2 to release CO and O atoms. Subsequently, oxygen atoms transferred onto the Ni and combination with carbon deposits on the metal catalyst enabled CO production