Uniform Ni particles on amino-functionalized SBA-16 with excellent activity and stability for syngas methanation

• Amino-functionalized mesoporous material SBA-16 was prepared by silylation.
• Uniform size of nickel particles were observed on the modified material.
• Better thermalstability and long-term stability were achieved for Ni/SBA-16-NH2 catalyst.

Via modification of mesoporous material SBA-16 with silane coupling agent, a new functionalized SBA-16 catalyst immobilized Ni has been prepared. The performance of the catalyst for CO methanation then were systemically investigated in a continuous flow fixed-bed reactor. The as-synthesized catalyst was characterized with N2 absorption-desorption, X-ray diffraction, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FT-IR spectrum, 29Si-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), H2—Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR) and H2 pulse chemisorption. After modification by aminopropyl-trimethoxysilane (APTMS), the internal surface silanol group of support SBA-16 was replaced by amino-groups. The replacement of hydroxyl groups by amino groups could prevent the agglomeration of metal ion in the solution. Also uniform nickel particle size was observed because the replaced organic groups on SBA-16 could form homogeneous interaction towards the metal. Comparing with the catalyst without functionalized, the catalyst Ni/SBA-16-NH2 exhibited higher activity, excellent heat-resistant performance and better stability in CO methanation. The CO conversion and CH4 selectivity could be 100% and 99.9% at the optimal temperature. Meanwhile, the catalyst showed no decrease of activity in the 100 h life test.

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