Affiliation:
1. Institute of General and Ecological Chemistry Faculty of Chemistry Lodz University of Technology 116 Zeromskiego str. 90-924 Lodz Poland
2. Department of Molecular Engineering Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering Lodz University of Technology 213 Wolczanska str. 90-924 Lodz Poland
Abstract
AbstractThe paper shows the structural changes of copper and nickel catalysts in the presence of strong (O2) and weak (H2O) oxidizing agents and their influence on the course of methane conversion. The changes in oxidation states of investigated catalysts were studied during partial oxidation and steam reforming of methane using an X‐ray reactor chamber (XRD) coupled with an online mass spectrometer. Also, the susceptibility of these catalysts to oxidation and reduction by individual reaction components was investigated using TPR, TPO, and in situ XPS techniques. The obtained results indicated the distinct catalytic behavior of copper and nickel catalysts depending on their oxidation state and the importance of coke formation in the activation of the partial oxidation process. The mechanism of re‐reduction of catalysts under reaction conditions and a method to increase the activity of nickel catalysts are proposed.