New approach for the synthesis of nanostructured binary f-block intermetallic compounds: CO2 methanation studies

Abstract

Binary intermetallic compounds containing f-block elements (LaNi5, DyFe3 and SmCo5) were easily obtained via electrospinning and a two-step treatment where the first step, the oxidation step, is the key for the formation of bimetallic oxides and the second step, the reduction step, is fundamental for the formation of the binary intermetallic compounds. They were characterized by XRD and SEM/EDS that confirm the successful preparation of nanostructured bimetallic oxides and binary intermetallic compounds. The bimetallic oxides were also tested for the methanation of carbon dioxide and the results obtained show that the NiLa bimetallic oxide has a catalytic performance comparable to the best results reported in the literature. To the best knowledge, it is the first time that a simple and reproducible method was applied to the synthesis of binary intermetallic nanostructures containing f block elements and that their bimetallic oxides precursors were tested as catalysts for the methanation of carbon dioxide.