Using X-ray spectroscopy to study 2D confinement effect on methane reforming

Dry reforming methane with CO₂ would directly transform two greenhouse gases into valuable synthetic gas, which is particularly attractive for low-quality natural gas often produced from shale. Unfortunately, carbon reduces the potency of metal catalysts in this process. The research here hopes to overcome that problem by confining the dry reforming in a gap of less than 1 nanometer between the metal catalyst and a one-atom thick film, or monolayer, of certain materials that block carbon deposits on the catalysts.