Fabrication of nano-catalyst ceria flower and catalyst characterization*

Phuc Hoan Tu, Diep Ngoc Le, Dung Trung Dao, Tin Chanh Duc Doan and Chien Mau Dang

Abstract

Flower-like ceria microspheres were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis method and used as a catalyst support to load transition metal Ni nano particles for dry reforming of methane. The nikel nitrate salt was loaded by impregnation method onto the CeO₂ flower-like and calcined at 550 °C to obtain the nanoparticles of nikel oxide (NiO) onto the CeO₂ flowers. Before the reforming reaction, NiO could be reduced by hydrogen at 800 °C to obtain the flower-catalyst. Paper structured catalyst (PSC) was fabricated from flower-catalyst, alumina-silica fiber and was used as a catalyst for methane reforming. The methane conversion of the PSC-CeO₂–NiO sample showed higher efficiency and stability than the sample of PSC-NiO without the CeO₂ flowers with the same amount of Ni after 50 h. In addition, the amount of coke formed on the catalyst was significantly reduced in the presence of CeO₂ whereas the methane conversion efficiency was maintained