One step synthesis of mesoporous NiO–Al2O3 catalyst for partial oxidation of methane to syngas: The role of calcination temperature

Abstract

A series of mesoporous NiO–Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by sol–gel method with calcination temperature increasing from 400°C to 800°C. The effect of calcination temperature on the texture property and catalytic performance of NiO–Al2O3 catalysts for partial oxidation of methane (POM) was investigated. These catalysts were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption–desorption method and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) techniques and tested in a fixed bed reactor at 550°C. The meso-NiO–Al2O3 catalyst with low carbon deposition prepared at 600°C was proved to be more active, stable. After 40h reaction at 550°C, the Ni–Al2O3-600 sample still maintained relatively high CH4 conversion and CO yield indicating high activity and stable structure of obtained sample.