Nickel catalyst prepared via glycine nitrate process for partial oxidation of methane to syngas

Nickel/alumina catalyst promoted by Li2O and La2O3 was prepared via glycine nitrate process (GNP) for the first time. The catalyst was characterized by BET specific surface area measurement, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), H2 temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and catalytic performance measurements for partial oxidation of methane, comparison between the catalysts with the same composition while prepared via different methods and initial catalyst stability were also investigated. The results indicated that there was a strong interaction between the NiO and Al2O3 phase in the catalyst prepared via GNP. Alumina existed in mainly in a γ form, while spinel phase of nickel aluminate also occurred. The catalyst showed superior catalytic performances, e.g. higher methane conversion and selectivity to CO under similar working conditions over the one with same composition prepared by sol–gel and incipient-to-wetness impregnation method. Thus, an alternative method for preparing catalyst for methane partial oxidation was developed, which may find application to develop composite anodes for direct hydrocarbon fuelled solid oxide fuel cells.