Preparation of Ni/YSZ Catalysts for Application of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell Methanation

Abstract

Combination of co-electrolysis of CO2 and steam using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) and methane production (methanation) offers an attractive process for CO2 conversion to hydrocarbon fuels. Ni-based (Ni/YSZ is a typical example) SOECs could be used as catalytic reactor for CH4 production because Ni has been found to be an active catalyst for methanation. Therefore, Ni/YSZ SOECs could be used as catalytic reactor for methanation. Based on this concept, in this study we have prepared a Ni/YSZ material that can be used in the catalytic reactor. The performance of the prepared Ni/YSZ was evaluated as a catalyst for CO2 methanation. Ni/YSZ catalysts with a Ni loading of 55wt% calcined at 800-1100 ºC gave a high CO2 conversion of up to 86% and a high methane selectivity of >99% at 250-350 ºC of reaction temperature under ambient pressure.