Mixed conductive composites for 'Low-Temperature' thermo-chemical CO2splitting and syngas generation

An effective strategy to design platinum group metal (PGM) free redox catalysts for low temperature CO(2)splitting followed with methane partial oxidation was proposed and validated. Composites of mixed ionic-electronic conductive (MIEC) oxides were found to be highly effective at relatively low temperatures (600-750 degrees C). Specifically, perovskite structured LaNi(0.35)Fe(0.65)O(3)and rock salt structured Ce0.85Gd0.1Cu0.05O2-delta, as two compatible yet structurally distinct MIEC oxides, were integrated into composite redox catalyst particles. Resulting from the synergistic effect of the two MIEC phases, 90% CO(2)to CO conversion was demonstrated at 750 degrees C. Up to 90% methane conversion with 96% CO selectivity was also achieved in the methane POx step. The redox catalysts were characterized in detail to illustrate the underlying mechanisms for the synergistic effects. Electrical conductivity relaxation (ECR) measurements indicated significantly lowered activation energy for lattice oxygen (O2-) migration (0.43 eV). The enhanced oxygen migration in turn led to reversible exsolution of active transition metal nanoparticles (Ni-Fe alloy) from the mixed oxide, serving as active sites for methane activation while further enhancing lattice oxygen exchange, as confirmed byin situX-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. As a result, the composite redox catalysts demonstrate superior redox activity, coke resistance, and long term redox stability, making them potentially suitable for CO(2)utilization and methane partial oxidation under a hybrid redox process scheme.