Properties of Ni/Y2O3 and its catalytic performance in methane conversion to syngas

Ni/Y2O3, with Y2O3 support prepared by the conventional precipitation method, was prepared by an impregnation method. The physicochemical properties of Y2O3 and Ni/Y2O3 were characterized by BET, CO2-TPD, NH3-TPD, TPR, XRF and TGA, and compared with those of γ-Al2O3 and Ni/γ-Al2O3, respectively. The catalytic performance of Ni/Y2O3 in the reaction of partial oxidation of methane (POM) to syngas was evaluated and compared with that of Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst, too. The results showed that, Y2O3 was a basic support with few acidic sites while γ-Al2O3 was an acidic support. NiO particles supported on Y2O3 were more easily to be reduced than those supported on γ-Al2O3. In the partial oxidation of methane, Ni/Y2O3 catalyst showed high catalytic activity and exhibited better catalytic stability than Ni/γ-Al2O3. After POM reaction at 700 °C for 550 h, methane conversion decreased little and only 2.2 wt% carbon was deposited on Ni/Y2O3 catalyst. Ni/Y2O3 was stable in POM even after a series of reaction temperature variations within the temperature range of 400 ∼ 800 °C.

► Ni/Y2O3 showed excellent catalytic stability in partial oxidation of methane.
► Ni/Y2O3 catalyst exhibited good resistance to carbon deposition.
► The amount of carbon deposited after 550 h partial oxidation of methane was 2.2%.
► There were more basic sites and almost no acidic sites on Y2O3.
► The basic property of Y2O3 resulted in less carbon deposition on Ni/Y2O3.