10wt%Ni−10wt%Mg−La 0.1 Zr 0.9 O 2−x (LZO) catalyst shows high reforming activity of methane while suppressing methane combustion on trireforming of methane at low temperatures of 473 K in an electric field. On the basis of results of light-on and light-off tests for methane oxidation and temperature dependencies for catalytic methane steam reforming activity with or without the electric field, we found that Mg addition to 10wt%Ni−LZO catalyst suppresses methane combustion, while the methane steam reforming proceeds well by virtue of surface protonics in the electric field. Ni 2+ on 10wt%Ni−10wt%Mg−LZO catalyst was more cationic than that on 10wt%Ni−LZO catalyst, and NiO−MgO solid solution formed on LZO support played an important role in combustion suppression.

Tri-reforming of methane (a mixed reaction with steam reforming, dry reforming, and partial oxidation of methane) for syngas production is investigated over Ni supported catalysts in an electric field at low temperature of 473 K. The main objective is to gain enthalpy from exhaust gases of automobiles using an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, so high methane conversion and low combustion (oxidation) are anticipated. Ni(ac)/Mg/ La0.1Zr0.9O2 catalyst showed high methane conversion with methane combustion suppressed even at 473 K in an electric field. The role of co-supported Mg on Ni/La0.1Zr0.9O2 catalyst was investigated by several characterizations. Mg-addition stabilized the Ni _ oxide on Ni(ac)/Mg/La0.1Zr0.9O2 catalyst even in the reaction atmosphere by virtue of the formation of an adjacent structure of Ni and Mg, and it contributed to methane combustion suppression.