In situ synthesis of highly effective nickel nanocatalyst for methane bireforming

Abstract

This work offered insights into the characteristics and performance of nickel nanocatalyst in situ synthesized through CeNiO3 perovskite for the bireforming of methane (BRM). Effects of calcination conditions on the characteristics of CeNiO3 structure and on the reduction regime of the as-prepared perovskite on the physicochemical properties and performance of nickel catalyst in BRM were assessed. The formation of high-crystallinity CeNiO3 at temperatures above 700 °C was confirmed. The synthesized CeNiO3 existed in the form of spherical particles 20–40 nm in size and uniformly distributed. Among the samples, one calcined at 700 °C for 2 h (C-700-2.0) had the smallest and the most uniform particle and the highest reducibility. This sample was found to be the optimum precursor for the in situ synthesis of a highly effective nano-Ni catalyst for BRM. The reduction mode significantly affected the catalytic performance of the C-700-2.0 precursor. The sample reduced at 750 °C for 1.5 h (R-750-1.5) possessed the optimum activity, with conversions of CH4 and CO2 reaching equilibrium (98% and 84%, respectively) and an ideal H2/CO ratio of 2 at the reaction temperature of 700 °C.

Keywords

• In situ synthesis
• CeNiO3 perovskite
• Nickel nanocatalyst
• Methane bireforming