Synthesis, Characterization and Testing of Lanthanum-Nickel Based Materials as Catalysts for The Carbon Dioxide Reforming of Methane

Abstract

Many countries around the world have decided to play a positive role in combating climate change and reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In addition to reducing emissions, initiatives include the capture, storage and utilization of CO2. Converting it to valuable products through reforming of methane not only utilizes major greenhouse gasses, but can also be a means for energy from biogas. The main challenge hindering this process is developing a scalable active catalyst that can resist deactivation. To address this challenge, focus has shifted from simple metal oxides towards metal nanoparticles dispersed and organized in complex well defined structures. Oxide perovskites have the potential to contain metal and support in a single structure as the case of LaNiO3. Metal-organic frameworks are another type of materials that can be used as sacrificial agents to produce the type of complex metal oxides required. Three synthesis approaches were studied for the synthesis of La-Ni materials. Combustion synthesis is a cost and time efficient method. However, it becomes challenging to accurately predict the outcomes. Hydrothermally synthesized perovskites give pure phase materials but are sensitive to synthesis variables. MOF based materials showed conversions of 94% and 83% for CO2 and CH4, respectively, with stable performance for +100 hours and can be a promising future route in heterogeneous catalysis.