Effect of La2O3 modification on the catalytic performance of Ni/SiC for methanation of carbon dioxide

Ni/SiC and La2O3 modified Ni/SiC were prepared by impregnation method and used as the catalysts for methanation of CO2. The modified Ni/SiC shows better catalytic activity and stability than pure Ni/SiC. XRD and TPR results indicate that La2O3 can effectively restrain the growth of NiO nanoparticles, improve the dispersion of NiO and strengthen the interaction between NiO and SiC. XPS result suggests that La2O3 can change the electron environment surrounding Ni atoms and thus reactant CO2 on the Ni atoms can be activated more easily. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.