Catalytic oxidation of methane over Ni-Cu/Ce0.9Zr0.1O2 nanopowders

L.M. TOSCANI; M.G. ZIMICZ; D.G. LAMAS; S.A. LARRONDO.

Munich

Congreso; 15th International Congress on Catalysis 2012; 2012

DECHEMA

The aim of this work is to study the effect of the substitution of Ni by Cu in the catalytic behaviour of Ni-Cu/Ce0.9Zr0.1O2 catalysts. The tests were carried out in excess methane atmospheres as it is a prevailing condition in SOFCs’ anode chamber. The support (ZDC) was synthesized by the glycine/nitrate combustion process. Ni and Cu were incorporated by the incipient impregnation method from the corresponding nitrates aqueous solutions (C1: CuO(60%m/m)/ZDC; C2: NiO(60%m/m)/ZDC; C3: CuO(30%m/m)-NiO(30%m/m)/ZDC). Catalyst C1 was only active for the total oxidation of methane (TOM) showing low activity; C2 was highly active and selective for the partial oxidation of methane (POM); C3 showed activity in both reactions, depending on temperature range. The H2/CO ratio was close to 2 in all the range of temperatures in which POM took place. At temperatures lower than 600ºC TOM reaction prevailed, with CO2 selectivity of 100%. This reaction became less significant at temperatures higher than 600ºC, while POM reaction turned out to be predominating. The catalytic behaviour was stable in the typical 6hs on-stream experiments.