Improved activity of Ni/MgAl2O4 for CO2 methanation by the plasma decomposition

Abstract

CO2 methanation has been a hot topic because of its important application in the spacecraft and potential utilization of carbon dioxide. Nickel catalyst is active for this reaction. However, its activity still needs to be improved. Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma, initiated at ambient condition and operated at ∼150 °C, has been employed in this work for decomposition of nickel precursor to prepare Ni/MgAl2O4. The plasma decomposition results in high dispersion, unique structure, enhanced reducibility of Ni particles and promoted catalyst-support interaction. An improved activity of CO2 methanation with a higher yield of methane has been achieved over the plasma decomposed catalyst, compared to the catalyst prepared thermally. For example, the methane yield of the plasma prepared catalyst is 71.8% at 300 °C but it is 62.9% over the thermal prepared catalyst. The catalyst characterization confirmed that CO2 methanation over the DBD plasma prepared catalyst follows pathway of CO methanation.