Zirconia Promoted Nickel Nanowire Catalyst for the Partial Oxidation of Methane to Synthesis Gas

Abstract

A zirconia promoted nickel nanowire catalyst was prepared by a hard templating method, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 physical adsorption. The catalytic properties of the zirconia promoted nanowire catalyst in the partial oxidation of methane to syngas were compared with a metallic Ni catalyst which was prepared with nickel sponge. The characterization results showed that the zirconia promoted nickel nanowire catalyst had high specific surface area and there was more NiO phase in the nickel nanowire catalyst than in the metallic Ni catalyst. The reaction results showed that the zirconia promoted nickel nanowire catalyst had high CH4 conversion and selectivities to H2 and CO.