This study investigates the effect of pre-ion plasma surface activation on the catalytic performance of a 10 wt% NiOx/CeO2 nanorod catalyst for plasma-assisted dry methane reforming. Prior to reaction testing in a non-thermal dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor, the catalysts are activated through controlled plasma exposure using an ion source. The results demonstrate that pre-ion plasma treatment significantly modifies the catalyst surface structure, increases oxygen vacancy concentration, and alters redox behavior of the catalysts. This work provides valuable insights into the mechanistic role of high-energy ion-plasma surface activation in plasma catalysis using DBD.
