In situ EXAFS study on nickel metal particles dispersed on Loy Yang brown coal

The structure of nickel catalysts supported on Loy Yang brown coal by an ion-exchanging method during thermal treatment was studied by a XAFS technique. The exchanged nickel species aggregated to metal particles during pyrolysis and hydrogasification. The aggregation behaviour of nickel species depended on the amount of nickel loaded and/or treatment atmospheres.