Oscillatory Behaviour of Ni Supported on ZrO<sub>2</sub> in the Catalytic Partial Oxidation of Methane as Determined by Activation Procedure
Daniela Pietrogiacomi,
Maria Cristina Campa,
Ida Pettiti,
Simonetta Tuti,
Giulia Luccisano,
Leandro Ardemani,
Igor Luisetto,
Delia Gazzoli
Affiliations
Daniela Pietrogiacomi
Chemistry Department, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Maria Cristina Campa
Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials (ISMN), National Research Council (CNR), Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Ida Pettiti
Chemistry Department, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Simonetta Tuti
Science Department, Roma Tre University, Via della Vasca Navale 79, 00146 Rome, Italy
Giulia Luccisano
Chemistry Department, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Leandro Ardemani
Chemistry Department, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Igor Luisetto
Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy
Delia Gazzoli
Chemistry Department, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
Ni/ZrO2 catalysts, active and selective for the catalytic partial oxidation of methane to syngas (CH4-CPO), were prepared by the dry impregnation of zirconium oxyhydroxide (Zhy) or monoclinic ZrO2 (Zm), calcination at 1173 K and activation by different procedures: oxidation-reduction (ox-red) or direct reduction (red). The characterization included XRD, FESEM, in situ FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, TPR, and specific surface area measurements. Catalytic activity experiments were carried out in a flow apparatus with a mixture of CH4:O2 = 2:1 in a short contact time. Compared to Zm, Zhy favoured the formation of smaller NiO particles, implying a higher number of Ni sites strongly interacting with the support. In all the activated Ni/ZrO2 catalysts, the Ni–ZrO2 interaction was strong enough to limit Ni aggregation during the catalytic runs. The catalytic activity depended on the activation procedures; the ox-red treatment yielded very active and stable catalysts, whereas the red treatment yielded catalysts with oscillating activity, ascribed to the formation of Niδ+ carbide-like species. The results suggested that Ni dispersion was not the main factor affecting the activity, and that active sites for CH4-CPO could be Ni species at the boundary of the metal particles in a specific configuration and nuclearity.