One step synthesis of mesoporous NiO-Al2O3 catalyst for partial oxidation of methane to syngas: The role of calcination temperature

A series of mesoporous NiO-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by sol-gel method with calcination temperature increasing from 400 degrees C to 800 degrees C. The effect of calcination temperature on the texture property and catalytic performance of NiO-Al2O3 catalysts for partial oxidation of methane (POM) was investigated. These catalysts were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), N-2 adsorption-desorption method and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) techniques and tested in a fixed bed reactor at 550 degrees C. The meso-NiO-Al2O3 catalyst with low carbon deposition prepared at 600 degrees C was proved to be more active, stable. After 40 h reaction at 550 degrees C, the Ni-Al2O3-600 sample still maintained relatively high CH4 conversion and CO yield indicating high activity and stable structure of obtained sample. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.