Stability of hexaaluminate-based catalysts for high-temperature catalytic combustion of methane

Lanthanum hexaaluminate with a nominal composition of LaAl11O18 was used to support 20 wt.% of LaMnO3 and CeO2. LaAl11O18 was prepared through co-precipitation of metal nitrates within the water phase of an isooctane/CTAB/1-butanol microemulsion. The stabilities of the prepared catalysts were assessed by measuring the activities for combustion of methane before and after aging at 1000 °C for 100 h in air with 10 vol.% H2O. The activities were compared with LaMnAl11O19, due to its well-documented stability. It was shown that by using hydrothermal treatment of the microemulsion, a significantly higher surface area was obtained for the LaAl11O18. For LaMnO3, the reference support (Al2O3) was shown to be superior to LaAl11O18 as support, both in terms of activity and stability. Reactions between LaMnO3 and support were observed for all supports included in the study. For CeO2, LaAl11O18 was superior to Al2O3 as support. Deactivations of the CeO2 catalysts were linked to crystal growth of CeO2. LMHA deactivated strongly during aging; LaMnO3 on Al2O3 and several of the catalysts with CeO2 supported on LaAl11O18 showed a much more stable behavior.