Tuning the Selectivity of LaNiO3 Perovskites for CO2 Hydrogenation through Potassium Substitution

Herein, we demonstrate a method used to tune the selectivity of LaNiO3 (LNO) perovskite catalysts through the substitution of La with K cations. LNO perovskites were synthesised using a simple sol-gel method, which exhibited 100% selectivity towards the methanation of CO2 at all temperatures investigated. La cations were partially replaced by K cations to varying degrees via control of precursor metal concentration during synthesis. It was demonstrated that the reaction selectivity between CO2 methanation and the reverse water gas shift (rWGS) could be tuned depending on the initial amount of K substituted. Tuning the selectivity (i.e., ratio of CH4 and CO products) between these reactions has been shown to be beneficial for downstream hydrocarbon reforming, while valorizing waste CO2. Spectroscopic and temperature-controlled desorption characterizations show that K incorporation on the catalyst surface decrease the stability of C-based intermediates, promoting the desorption of CO formed via the rWGS prior to methanation.