One-Pot Synthesis of Ni0.05Ce0.95O2-δ Catalysts with Nanocubes and Nanorods Morphology for CO2 Methanation Reaction and in Operando DRIFT Analysis of Intermediate Species

The valorization of CO2 via renewable energy sources allows one to obtain carbon-neutral fuels through its hydrogenation, like methane. In this study, Ni0.05Ce0.95O2-delta catalysts were prepared using a simple one-pot hydrothermal method yielding nanorod and nanocube particles to be used for the methanation reaction. Samples were characterized by XRD, BET, TEM, H-2-TPR, and H-2-TPD experiments. The catalytic activity tests revealed that the best performing catalyst was Ni0.05Ce0.95O2-delta, with nanorod morphology, which gave a CO2 conversion of 40% with a selectivity of CH4 as high as 93%, operating at 325 & DEG;C and a GHSV of 240,000 cm(3) h(-1) g(-1). However, the lower activation energy was found for Ni0.05Ce0.95O2-delta catalysts with nanocube morphology. Furthermore, an in operando diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) analysis was performed flowing CO2:H-2 or CO:H-2 mixture, showing that the main reaction pathway, for the CO2 methanation, is the direct hydrogenation of formate intermediate.

Automated summary

Nickel-cerium oxide catalysts with nanorod morphology showed excellent performance in methanation reaction, achieving a CO2 conversion of 40% with a high CH4 selectivity of 93%.