Abstract
We investigated the performance of nickel/samarium-doped ceria (Ni/SDC) nanocatalysts on the catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOM). Studies of temperature-programmed surface reaction and reduction reveal that catalytic activity is determined by a synergistic effect produced by Ni metals and metal-support interaction. Catalytic activity was more dependent on the Ni content below 600 °C, while there is not much difference for all catalysts at high temperatures. The catalyst exhibiting high activities toward syngas production (i.e., a CH4 conversion >90% at 700 °C) requires a medium Ni-SDC interaction with an Sm/Ce ratio of about 1/9 to 2/8. This is accounted for by optimum oxygen vacancies and adequate ion diffusivity in the SDCs which, as reported, also display the highest ion conductivity for fuel cell applications.
Highlights
Catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOM) is an important process to convert natural gas into high value-added products
The results show that the co-microwave synthesized NiO/Sm0.1 Ce0.9 O1.95 catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity for the oxidation of methane
The nickel/samarium-doped ceria (Ni/SDC) catalysts with varying NiO contents and Sm/Ce ratios were studied for catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOM)
Summary
Catalytic partial oxidation of methane (CPOM) is an important process to convert natural gas into high value-added products. In industry, chemicals such as methanol are produced using syngas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen, CO and H2 ) from highly endothermic steam reforming reactions [1,2]. Compared with the steam reforming of methane (CH4 ), CPOM is a preferred technology to produce H2 or synthesis gas due to its fast kinetics and exothermic nature. CPOM produces synthesis gas with a stoichiometry of H2 /CO of about two, which can be directly used for methanol or Fischer–. Many studies have investigated the CPOM in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) when CH4 is used as a fuel [4]. Direct use of CH4 in fuel cells provides a niche for producing electric power and syngas at the same time [5]
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