Novel Ni/MgO Catalysts from Mesoporous MgCO3 for Highly Efficient CO Methanation: Effects of Al and Si Stabilization

Methanation of syngas is a possible way to produce synthetic natural gas. Ni has been proven to be a good and cost-effective catalyst for this reaction. Here we have synthesized Ni/MgO catalyst using mesoporous magnesium carbonate (MMC) as a precursor. Addition of Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ to MMC were made and the different MMC based materials were then impregnated with Ni(NO₃)₂ and calcined to generate the catalysts. Addition of Al₂O₃ showed an improvement in the catalytic performance compared to the NiO/MgO catalyst. The catalyst containing Al₂O₃ had a CO conversion close to 100 % at 350 °C and a high selectivity and yield for CH₄. The better performance of the aluminum containing catalyst was believed to be an effect of a better dispersion of Ni at the surface of the catalyst