Water gas shift reaction over Zn–Ni/SiO2 catalyst prepared from [Zn(H2O)6]2[Ni(NCS)6]·H2O/SiO2 precursor

Silica-supported Zn–Ni catalyst prepared by thermal decomposition of [Zn(H2O)6]2[Ni(NCS)6]·H2O/SiO2 precursor was tested in the water gas shift reaction. The characterization of both precursor and calcined catalyst was carried out using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-infrared, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET specific surface area and thermal analysis methods (TGA and DSC). The water gas shift reaction was studied over prepared catalyst in the temperature range of 280–420 °C, gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 3600 h−1 and H2O/CO molar ratio of 4 at atmospheric pressure. The Zn–Ni/SiO2 catalyst presented higher activity than the reference catalysts prepared by impregnation and co-precipitation methods.

Graphical abstractSilica-supported zinc–nickel catalyst was prepared by thermal decomposition of [Zn(H2O)6]2[Ni(NCS)6]·H2O/SiO2 precursor. This catalyst showed high catalytic activity for water gas shift reaction at 280–420 °C.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (99 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The method of Zn–Ni/SiO2 catalyst preparation is a simple and suitable way. ► The Zn–Ni catalyst has the high catalytic activity for WGS reaction at 280–420 °C. ► This catalyst presents higher activity than those prepared from other methods.