Research Progress on Plasma-Assisted Catalytic Dry Reforming of Methane

Abstract

With the significant consumption of traditional fossil fuels, emissions of greenhouse gases such as methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) continue to rise, requiring effective treatment methods. The dry reforming of methane (DRM) offers a promising pathway for greenhouse gas mitigation by converting CH4 and CO2 into high-value syngas. However, traditional thermal catalysis is prone to catalyst deactivation due to high-temperature sintering and carbon deposition caused by side reactions. The introduction of non-thermal plasma (NTP) provides a mild reaction environment, effectively mitigating catalyst sintering and carbon deposition, extending catalyst lifespan, reducing energy consumption, and significantly enhancing reaction performance and energy efficiency. This paper reviews recent progress in plasma-assisted DRM, focusing on different plasma discharge types and catalyst materials. The synergistic effects between plasma and catalysts and the challenges and prospects of plasma-assisted DRM technology are discussed.