Selective CO methanation in H2-rich stream over Ni–, Co– and Fe/CeO2: Effect of metal and precursor nature

•10 wt.% Ni–, Co– and Fe/CeO2 catalysts, prepared from nitrate and chloride precursors.•Fe-based and Co(Cl)/CeO2 catalysts were inactive in CO and CO2 methanation.•Ni– and Co/CeO2 catalysts were active in both CO and CO2 methanation.•Ni(Cl)/CeO2 catalyst showed the best performance in selective CO methanation.•CO2 hydrogenation activity inhibition by the presence of chlorine on ceria surface.

Selective CO methanation in the realistic H2-rich gas mixture containing 10 vol.% H2O and 20 vol.% CO2 was investigated over 10 wt.% Ni–, Co– and Fe/CeO2 catalysts, prepared from nitrate and chloride precursors. BET, XRD, HRTEM, EDX and CO chemisorption techniques were used for catalyst characterization. Among the catalysts studied, the Ni/CeO2 catalyst, prepared from NiCl2 precursor, showed the best catalytic performance. This phenomenon can be associated with inhibition of CO2 hydrogenation activity by the presence of chlorine on the catalyst surface.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide