The catalytic methanation of coke oven gas over Ni-Ce/Al2O3 catalysts prepared by microwave heating: Effect of amorphous NiO formation

- The catalysts prepared by microwave show superior methanation activity.
- The amorphous NiO plays a key role in determining the catalytic performance.
- The selective heating of microwave promotes the formation of amorphous NiO.
- The catalyst has the highest amorphous NiO content at a moderate loading.