REVIEW article
Front. Chem.
Sec. Catalytic Reactions and Chemistry
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fchem.2025.1681282
Recent Advances in Microwave-assisted Dry Reforming of Methane: Catalyst, Performance, and Fundamentals
Provisionally accepted- Sinopec Research Institute of Safety Engineering, Qingdao, China
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The dry reforming of methane converts methane and carbon dioxide into syngas (a mixture of H₂ and CO), which can be utilized for synthesizing downstream chemical products. However, its high endothermicity necessitates elevated operating temperatures (~900 °C), posing challenges in energy efficiency and catalyst stability. Microwave-assisted heating has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional thermal catalysis, offering potential for enhanced reaction rates, improved energy utilization, and catalyst reactivation. This review systematically examines the recent advancements in microwave-assisted dry reforming of methane. It begins with an analysis of the reaction thermodynamics and fundamentals of microwave heating, specifically addressing its mechanisms and advantages over conventional methods. The core of the review focuses on the rational design of catalysts tailored for effective microwave absorption and catalytic performance. A critical comparison of catalyst performance under microwave versus conventional heating is provided, highlighting the roles of microwave in boosting conversion, suppressing coke deposition, and enhancing catalyst longevity. Finally, the review discusses the persistent challenges in scaling this technology and proposes future research directions, particularly in catalyst and reactor design and process intensification. This work underscores the transformative potential of microwave catalysis to drive efficient and sustainable dry reforming of methane processes.
Keywords: dry reforming of methane, syngas, Catalysts, microwave-assisted, sintering
Received: 07 Aug 2025; Accepted: 01 Sep 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Kuang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Siyu Kuang, Sinopec Research Institute of Safety Engineering, Qingdao, China
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