Partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas over Pt nanoparticles supported on nanocrystalline CeO2 catalyst

Pt-nanoparticles supported on CeO2 have been prepared by a post synthesis method (Pt-CeO2PS). In the post synthesis method, CeO2 nanoparticles were prepared by a hydrothermal method, followed by the deposition of Pt nanoparticles over the CeO2. The prepared catalyst was characterized by XRD, BET-surface area, TPR, SEM, TEM, XPS and XAFS. It was observed that the catalyst prepared by the post synthesis method contained Pt nanoparticles with sizes between 2-5 nm supported on CeO2 nanoparticles with sizes between 20-60 nm. The catalytic performance of the Pt-CeO2PS catalyst was evaluated in the partial oxidation of methane for synthesis gas production. The Pt-CeO2PS catalyst could activate methane at 350 degrees C. We believe that the nanosized Pt particles and the synergy between the Pt particles, the CeO2 nanoparticles and the presence of a strong metal-support interaction play key roles in the activation of methane at such a low temperature. Different reaction parameters, like Pt-loading, reaction temperature, space velocity, and time on stream, were studied in detail. The Pt-CeO2 PS catalyst does not deactivate till 100 h with a constant H-2/CO mole ratio of 1.9 at 800 degrees C.