Self-assembly of flower-like LaNiAlO 3 -supported nickel catalysts for CO methanation

Abstract A series of supported Ni nanoparticles on a flower-like porous LaNi 0.6 Al 0.4 O 3 (LNAO) perovskite carrier ( z Ni/LNAO; z  = 5, 10 and 15 wt%) were successfully synthesized using a controlled self-assembly sol-gel method. The experimental results showed that the presence of Ni nanoparticles markedly enhanced the reaction rate of CO conversion, namely from 12.4 mmol/(g cat h) over LNAO to 244 mmol/(g cat h) over 10 wt% Ni/LNAO. The porous LNAO perovskite support provides both a large surface area to well disperse Ni nanoparticles and active sites for the methanation reaction, thus resulting in a catalyst with activity (per gram of catalyst basis) at least comparable to other nickel metal-based supported catalysts reported so far and with very good stability. Reaction rates calculated based on Ni exposed surface and total Ni amount revealed that Ni active sites in the Ni nanoparticles and bulk perovskite were distinct.