Novel Ni-La-hydrotalcite derived catalysts for CO2 methanation

•La-promoted Ni-containing hydrotalcite-derived catalysts for CO2 methanation•Incorporation of La results in an increased presence of medium strength basicity•Addition of La results in increased reducibility of Ni-species•La-containing catalysts show improved activity in CO2 methanation (40%) at 250 °C.

A series of hydrotalcite-derived mixed oxides containing Ni/Mg/La/Al obtained by thermal decomposition were characterized by XRD, CO2-TPD and H2-TPR. The results confirm the formation of periclase-like materials, and the addition of lanthanum resulted in the formation of a separate phase. The incorporation of 2 wt.% of lanthanum leads to an increase of the catalytic performance at temperatures from 250 to 300 °C with CO2 conversion of 46.5–75% and CH4 selectivity of 99–98%. The activity is directly connected with basicity that increases with the incorporation of La into the HT-derived catalysts.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide