Chemical Stability of BaMg0.33Nb0.67-XFexO3-δ in High Temperature Methane Conversion Environments

Abstract

Doped perovskite metal oxide catalysts of the form A(BxM1-x)O3-δ have been instrumental in the development of solid oxide electrolyzers/fuel cells. In addition, this material class has also been demonstrated to be effective as a heterogeneous catalyst. Co-doped barium niobate perovskites have shown remarkable stability in highly acidic CO2 sensing measurements/environments (1). However, the reason for their chemical stability is not well understood. Doping with transition metal cations for B site cations often leads to exsolution under reducing conditions. Many perovskites used for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) or the electrochemical oxidative coupling of methane (E-OCM) either lack long term stability, or catalytic activity within these highly reducing methane environments. The Mg and Fe co-doped barium niobate BaMg0.33Nb0.67-xFexO3-δ shown activity in E-OCM reactors over long periods (2) (>100 hrs) with no iron metal exsolution observed by diffraction or STEM EDX measurements. In contrast, iron decorated BaMg0.33Nb0.67O3 showed little C2 conversion activity.