Methanation of CO2 over a (Mg,Al)Ox Supported Nickel Catalyst Derived from a (Ni,Mg,Al)-Hydrotalcite-like Precursor

The CO2 methanation performance of a Ni catalyst supported on a Lewis basic (Mg,Al)Ox mixed oxide derived from a (Ni, Mg, Al)-hydrotalcite-like (HTL) precursor was investigated. The HTL structure of the precursor, synthesized by pH-controlled coprecipitation, was confirmed by using XRD. Reduction at 900 degrees C led to metallic Ni particles supported on a spinel-type (Mg, Al) Ox matrix. Catalytic measurements between 210 and 400 degrees C revealed a reproducible CO2 conversion into CH4. Kinetic analysis of the data in the lower temperature range resulted in an apparent activation energy of (83 +/- 7) kJ mol(-1) for this reaction. After a latency period of 10 h, the catalyst showed excellent long-term stability for up to 50 h on stream under methanation conditions.