Hydrogenation of CO to methane over mesoporous nickel-iron-alumina xerogel nano-catalysts

Abstract

Mesoporous nickel-iron-alumina xerogel ((40 -x)Ni x FeAX) nano-catalysts with different iron content (x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10) were prepared by a single-step sol-gel method for use in the methane production from carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The effect of iron content on the catalytic performance of (40-x)Nix FeAX catalysts was investigated. In the methanation reaction, yield for CH4 decreased in the order of 35Ni5 FeAX > 32.5Ni 7.5 FeAX > 30Ni10 FeAX > 37.5Ni FeAX > 40Ni FeAX. This indicated that optimal iron content of mesoporous nickel-iron-alumina xerogel nano-catalyst was required for maximum production of CH 0 in the methanation reaction. Experimental results revealed that optimal CO dissociation energy and large H 4 adsorption ability of the catalyst were favorable for methane production. Among the catalysts tested, 35Ni 2 FeAX catalyst, which retained the most optimal CO dissociation energy and the largest H 2 adsorption ability, exhibited the best catalytic performance in terms of conversion of CO and yield for CH 2 in the methanation reaction. CO dissociation energy and H 2 adsorption ability of the catalyst played a key role in determining the catalytic performance of (40 -x)Ni x FeAX in the methanation reaction. © 2012 American Scientific Publishers.