Application of TiO2 nanotubes as bulky supports of highly active CO2 methanation catalysts prepared via the polygonal barrel-sputtering method

Abstract

Herein, TiO2 nanotubes (TiO2-NTs) were used as bulky supports for the preparation of highly active CO2 methanation catalysts to maintain the stability of the reaction at high gas flow rates. The nanotube shapes of the prepared TiO2-NTs remained unchanged at a calcination temperature of 300 °C. The CO2 methanation reaction on Ru-sputtered catalysts indicated that at high gas flow rates of 10% CO2/Ar and H2, some crack-like gaps were formed in the catalyst bed using raw anatase TiO2 particle supports, whereas no gaps appeared in the case where TiO2-NTs were used as the support, leading to a stable reaction. This result is attributed to the formation of a sparse catalyst bed owing to the bulky TiO2-NT supports.