Study of Ni Catalysts with Different Al2O3 Supports in the Partial Oxidation of Methane Reaction

Ni-based catalysts have been widely investigated in thepartialoxidation of methane (POM). However, sintering and carbon depositionare severe problems for Ni-based catalysts in the POM reaction. Here,Ni/Al2O3 catalysts with Al2O3 supports prepared by different synthesis methods are usedto investigate the effect of strong metal-support interaction(SMSI) and their relationships to the catalytic performance. As aresult, the different strengths of SMSI between Ni species and variousAl(2)O(3) supports contribute to generating differentcontents of the reduced metallic Ni-0 sites in the catalysts,which affects the catalytic activity in the POM reaction obviously.The surface unsaturated pentahedral coordination Al3+ centerssupply SMSI in the Ni/Al2O3-H catalyst to preventthe catalyst from sintering and coking in the POM reaction, whichresults in better catalytic activity and catalyst stability. A newview is provided to solve the design of stable metal oxide catalystsby utilizing their SMSI effect.