Effect of support on the catalytic activity of supported Ni–Fe catalysts for the CO2 methanation reaction

• Fe promotes Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2 and SiO2 supported Ni during CO2 hydrogenation.
• Enhancement due to formation of suitable Ni-Fe alloy on all supported catalysts.
• Relative enhancements in conversion and yield depends on the specific support.
• Ability of the support to adsorb CO2 affects the activity of supported catalysts.
• Effect of CO2 adsorption on enhancement is not clear.

Nickel and iron supported on Al2O3, ZrO2, TiO2 and SiO2 containing Ni and Fe in the ratio of 3:1 showed a higher CH4 yield compared to the supported Ni catalysts. The Nb2O5 supported catalyst was an exception. The relative enhancement in yield for the most active catalyst of each series was support dependent, and the maximum enhancement was achieved when Al2O3 was the support. It appeared that the enhancements in yield was due to formation of a suitable Ni–Fe alloy and the maximum enhancement for the Al2O3 supported catalysts was due to the ability of the support to adsorb CO2.

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