Catalytic performance of mesoporous silica-covered nickel core–shell particles for selective CO methanation

•We developed a novel catalyst with core–shell structure for selective CO methanation.•Ni sintering was significantly suppressed by V oxides and mesoporous silica coating.•The core–shell structure actualized excellent performance for the reaction.

A novel catalyst with a core–shell structure composed of vanadium oxide and Ni particles covered by mesoporous silica for the selective CO methanation in reformate gas was investigated. In order to improve the catalytic activity in the low temperature region, an unsupported metallic Ni catalyst with a significantly large surface area was developed, which can replace previous preferential oxidation catalysts. The core–shell structure of the catalysts actualized high activity, selectivity and durability for selective CO methanation. Inhibition of Ni sintering by the surface vanadium oxide and the mesoporous silica may be responsible for the remarkable improvement of the catalytic activity.

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