MIL-101-Al2O3 as catalytic support in the methanation of CO2 - Comparative study between Ni/MIL-101 and Ni/MIL-101-Al2O3 catalysts

A novel Ni (10 wt.)/MIL-101-Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by use of immobilized MIL-101 on alumina pellets as catalytic support, with Ni nanoparticles deposited by an adapted double solvent approach. MIL-101-Al2O3 composite was obtained by two successive depositions of MIL-101 on gamma-Al2O3 (0.2 < d(p) < 1.5 mm). N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms prove that MIL-101-Al2O3 combines the features of both MIL-101 and Al2O3, by preserving the uptakes at P/P0 = 0.1 and 0.2 characteristic for MIL-101, and the large hysteresis loop on the desorption branch characteristic to Al2O3. Ni/MIL-101-Al2O3 catalyst was tested in the methanation of CO2 (temperature programmed reactions or stability tests) and compared to both Ni/MIL-101 and Ni/Al2O3 homologues. It was found that Ni/MIL-101-Al2O3 outperforms both homologues, in respect to both CO2 conversion and methane selectivity, the catalytic activity decreasing in the series: Ni/MIL-101-Al2O3 > Ni/MIL-101 > Ni/Al2O3. Maximum CO2 conversion of 85.8 % and CH4 selectivity of 93.2 % is attained at 350 degrees C in the case of Ni/MIL101-Al2O3.

Automated summary

A novel Ni(10 wt.)/MIL-101-Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by immobilizing MIL-101 on alumina pellets, showing superior catalytic performance in the methanation of CO2 compared to its homologues.