Enhanced CO2 Methanation Reaction in C1 Chemistry over a Highly Dispersed Nickel Nanocatalyst Prepared Using the One-Step Melt-Infiltration Method

Nanocatalysts for Hydrogen Production

Rising concerns about the effects of global warming and climate change have led to a search for environmentally clean and energy efficient technologies. Hydrogen is one of the most popular new types of energy, which is considered as a clean energy carrier for the future. Hydrogen is primarily produced by the steam reforming of natural gas. Other methods have also been developed, such as the gasification of coal/biomass/waste, water splitting by electrolysis, and so on. All the ways are using nanocatalysts to obtain a high efficiency of hydrogen production [...]

A low temperature organic synthesis of monodispersed NiRu nanocrystals for CO2 methanation

In this study, monodispersed NiRu nanocrystals with a diameter of 3 nm were synthesized at 90 °C via a tuning hot-inject method to lower the temperature of the organic phase synthesis of monodispersed nanomaterials. The key factor for the nanocrystalline formation of NiRu alloy nanocrystals was summarized in detail. Simultaneously, the synergistic effect of Ni and Ru in CO2 methanation was explored. Doping trace Ru can significantly improve the conversion rate of CO2 methanation and CH4 selectivity. The underlying mechanism was studied in detail via X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature-programmed hydrogen reduction (H2-TPR) and desorption (H2-TPD) tests, and temperature-programmed desorption of CO2 (CO2-TPD). This study gives out a new way for the general synthesis of monodisperse nickel-based nanocrystals and provides a reference for the development and application of monodispersed nanoparticles for CO2 methanation.

CO2 Methanation of Biogas over 20 wt% Ni-Mg-Al Catalyst: on the Effect of N2, CH4, and O2 on CO2 Conversion Rate

Biogas contains more than 40% CO2 that can be removed to produce high quality CH4. Recently, CH4 production from CO2 methanation has been reported in several studies. In this study, CO2 methanation of biogas was performed over a 20 wt% Ni-Mg-Al catalyst, and the effects of CO2 conversion rate and CH4 selectivity were investigated as a function of CH4, O2, H2O, and N2 compositions of the biogas. At a gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 30,000 h−1, the CO2 conversion rate was ~79.3% with a CH4 selectivity of 95%. In addition, the effects of the reaction temperature (200–450 °C), GHSV (21,000–50,000 h−1), and H2/CO2 molar ratio (3–5) on the CO2 conversion rate and CH4 selectivity over the 20 wt% Ni-Mg-Al catalyst were evaluated. The characteristics of the catalyst were analyzed using Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The catalyst was stable for approximately 200 h at a GHSV of 30,000 h−1 and a reaction temperature of 350 °C. CO2 conversion and CH4 selectivity were maintained at 75% and 93%, respectively, and the catalyst was therefore concluded to exhibit stable activity.