Photoluminescence properties of La2O3 methane coupling catalysts

La₂O₃ catalysts prepared at 923 K (La₂O₃-LT) and 1073 K (La₂O₃-HT) exhibit different photoluminescence properties due to notably different concentrations of ions in position of low coordination at the surface or coordinatively unsaturated surface sites (cus). The catalyst which exhibits the higher yields of photoluminescence due to the higher concentration of cus corresponds to the one which gives the higher C₂₊ selectivity in the oxidative methane coupling reaction. On leave of absence from Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, URA 1106-CNRS, 75252 Paris Cedex, France.     

Oxidative coupling of methane over LaF3/La2O3 catalysts

We studied the oxidative coupling of methane over the LaF₃/La₂O₃ (5050) catalyst. The catalyst was found active even at 873 K. At 1023 K, the C₂ yield was 12.7% at 26.0% CH₄ conversion and 49.1% C₂ selectivity. It was found to be stable and had a lifetime not less than 50 h at 1023 K. The catalyst was effective in C₂H₆ conversion to C₂H₄. XRD results indicated that the catalyst was mainly rhombohedral LaOF. It is suggested that the catalyst has ample stoichiometric defects and generates active oxygen sites suitable for methane dehydrogenation.     

Transient and isotopic studies of the oxygen transport and exchange during oxidative coupling of methane on Sr promoted La2O3

Isotopic transient techniques were applied to study oxidative coupling of methane over lanthanum oxide and strontium promoted La₂O₃ catalysts. Results of the¹⁸O₂/¹⁶O₂ isotopic exchange experiments indicate that Sr promotion increases oxygen uptake from the lattice of the catalyst. Oxygen self diffusion coefficients, which were determined for the series of lanthana catalysts, reach a maximum for the 1% Sr/La₂O₃. Steps of¹⁸O₂ in the presence of a steady flow of methane over Sr/La₂O₃ catalysts, indicate that surface and bulk oxygen appear in the reaction products before gas-phase¹⁸O². Steps of CO₂ over catalysts in which lattice oxygen has been exchanged with¹⁸O₂, show that gas/solid exchange involves over 50% of the lattice oxygen. Under reaction conditions, methane pulses with no gas-phase oxygen yield negligible amounts of products which indicates that methane interacts with lattice oxygen only in the presence of the gas-phase oxygen.     

Pulse study of methane partial oxidation to syngas over SiO2-supported nickel catalysts

Methane was pulsed over pure CuO and NiO as well as Cu/La₂O₃ and Ni/La₂O₃ catalysts at 600° C. Results indicate that the mechanisms for methane activation over copper and nickel are quite different. Over CuO, methane is converted to CO₂ and H₂O, most likely via the combustion mechanism; whereas metallic copper does not activate methane. Over NiO in the presence of metallic nickel sites, methane activation follows the pyrolysis mechanism to give CO, CO₂, H₂ and H₂O. Similar results were obtained over the Cu/La₂O₃ and Ni/La₂O₃ catalysts. XRD investigations indicate that copper and nickel existed as CuLa₂O₄ and LaNiO₃ respectively in the La₂O₃-supported catalysts. The effect of La₂O₃ on the activation of methane is discussed.     

CO2 Hydrogenation to Methanol Over Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 Catalysts Prepared by a Novel Gel-Network-Coprecipitation Method

A novel gel-network-coprecipitation process has been developed to prepare ultrafine Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalysts for methanol synthesis from CO₂ hydrogenation. It is demonstrated that the gel-network-coprecipitation method can allow the preparation of the ultrafine Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalysts by homogeneous coprecipitation of the metal nitrate salts in the gel network formed by gelatin solution, which makes the metallic copper in the reduced catalyst exist in much smaller crystallite size and exhibit a much higher metallic copper-specific surface area. The effect of the gel concentration of gelatin on the structure, morphology and catalytic properties of the Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalysts for methanol synthesis from hydrogenation of carbon dioxide was investigated. The Cu/ZnO/Al₂O₃ catalysts prepared by the gel-network-coprecipitation method exhibit a high catalytic activity and selectivity in CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol.     

Structure sensitivity of the catalytic oxidative coupling of methane on lanthanum oxide

The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) has been found to be structure sensitive on La₂O₃ catalysts exhibiting different crystallite morphologies. Thin plates obtained by thermal decomposition of lanthanum nitrate at 650 °C are more selective on OCM reaction performed at 750 °C than the particles obtained by decomposition of the nitrate at 800 °C. It is assumed that the oxycarbonate observed is formed from the methane deep oxidation on the catalyst surface. This compound appears to act as an intermediate in the production of CO₂ and is thus important hi the resulting selectivity.     

Influence of various promoters on the basicity and catalytic activity of MgO catalysts in oxidative coupling of methane

Addition of promoters, such as Li₂O, Na₂O, PbO, La₂O₃, MgCl₂ and CaCl₂, to MgO causes a large increase in its surface basicity (particularly strong basic sites) and catalytic activity/selectivity in oxidative coupling of methane, but the correlation between the basicity and C₂-yield is poor, indicating that factors other than basicity are also important in deciding catalytic performance.     

Oxidative coupling of methane over NbO (p-type) and Nb2O5 (n-type) semiconductor materials

Oxidative coupling of methane to higher hydrocarbons was investigated using two types of semiconductor catalysts, NbO (p-type) and Nb₂O₅ (n-type) at 1 atm pressure. The ratio of methane partial pressure to oxygen partial pressure was changed from 2 to 112 and the temperature was kept at 1023 K in the experiments conducted in a cofeed mode. The results indicated a strong correlation between C₂₊ selectivity performance and the electronic properties of the catalyst in terms of p-vs. n-type conductivity. The p-type semiconductor catalyst, NbO, had a larger selectivity (e.g. 95.92%) over the n-type Nb₂O₅ catalyst (23.08%) both at the same methane conversion of 0.64%. Catalyst characterization via X-ray diffraction, TGA and reaction studies indicated that NbO was transformed to Nb₂O₅ during the course of the reaction which limits catalyst life.     

The catalytic performance in oxidative coupling of methane and the surface basicity of La2O3, Nd2O3, ZrO2 and Nb2O5

The catalytic performance in oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) of unmodified pure La₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, ZrO₂ and Nb₂O₅ has been investigated under various conditions. The results confirmed that the activity of La₂O₃ and Nd₂O₃ was always much higher than that of the remaining two. The surface basicity/base strength distribution of pure La₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, ZrO₂ and Nb₂O₅ was measured using a test reaction of transformation of 2-butanol and a temperature-programmed desorption of CO₂. Both methods showed that La₂O₃ and Nd₂O₃ had high basicity and contained medium and strong basic sites (lanthanum oxide more and neodymium oxide somewhat less). ZrO₂ had only negligible amount of weak basic sites and Nb₂O₅ was rather acidic. The confrontation of the basicity and catalytic performance indicated that in the case of investigated oxides, the basicity (especially strong basic sites) could be a decisive factor in determination of the catalytic activity in OCM. Only in the case of ZrO₂ it was observed a moderate catalytic performance in spite of negligible basicity. The influence of a gas atmosphere used in the calcination of oxides (flowing oxygen, helium and nitrogen) on their basicity and catalytic activity in OCM had been also investigated. Contrary to earlier observations with MgO, no effect of calcination atmosphere on the catalytic performance of investigated oxides in OCM and on their basicity was observed.     

Oxidative reforming of methane on structured Ni-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>/cordierite catalysts

The catalytic properties of Ni/Al₂O₃ composites supported on ceramic cordierite honeycomb monoliths in oxidative methane reforming are reported. The prereduced catalyst has been tested in a flow reactor using reaction mixtures of the following compositions: in methane oxidation, 2–6% CH₄, 2–9% O₂, Ar; in carbon dioxide and oxidative carbon dioxide reforming of methane, 2–6% CH₄, 6–12% CO₂, and 0–4% O₂, and Ar. Physicochemical studies include the monitoring of the formation and oxidation of carbon, the strength of the Ni-O bond, and the phase composition of the catalyst. The structured Ni-Al₂O₃ catalysts are much more productive in the carbon dioxide reforming of methane than conventional granular catalysts. The catalysts performance is made more stable by regulating the acid-base properties of their surface via the introduction of alkali metal (Na, K) oxides to retard the coking of the surface. Rare-earth metal oxides with a low redox potential (La₂O₃, CeO₂) enhance the activity and stability of Ni-Al₂O₃/cordierite catalysts in the deep and partial oxidation and carbon dioxide reforming of methane. The carbon dioxide reforming of methane on the (NiO + La₂O₃ + Al₂O₃)/cordierite catalyst can be intensified by adding oxygen to the gas feed. This reduces the temperature necessary to reach a high methane conversion and does not exert any significant effect on the selectivity with respect to H₂.     

Simultaneous Production of Syngas and Ethylene from Methane by Combining its Catalytic Oxidative Coupling over Mn/Na2WO4/SiO2 with Gas Phase Partial Oxidation

A new route of methane utilization is presented, in which methane is converted to H₂, CO and C₂H₄ simultaneously with equal mole ratio, in order that the produced mixture could be used in the synthesis of propanal via hydroformylation. Kinetically controlled free radical gas phase methane oxidation was combined with its catalytic oxidative coupling over Mn/Na₂WO₄/SiO₂ to concomitantly acquire ethylene and syngas with close concentration. Under the optimal reaction condition, a mole ratio of CO:H₂:C₂H₄=1.0:1:0.9 was obtained with a yield of 11.6% and a selectivity of 68% to the target products based on C, while the selectivity to CO₂ is as low as 18.1%.     

Activity of vanadium magnesium oxide supported catalysts in the dehydrogenation of isobutane

The activity of the vanadium magnesium binary oxides supported on C_act, SiO₂, γ-Al₂O₃ and ZnO in the dehydrogenation of isobutane to isobutene under the carbon dioxide or inert gas atmosphere was investigated. The highest isobutene yield (34.8%) was obtained over active carbon supported catalyst. The role of carbon dioxide in the dehydrogenation process was determined on the basis of additional tests: the RWGS reaction, gasification of coke and regeneration of partially reduced catalysts. The temperature-programmed techniques (TPR-H₂, TPD-NH₃ and TPD-CO₂) were used to characterize the catalysts.     

Catalytic Production of Carbon Nanotubes by Decomposition of CH4 over the Pre-reduced Catalysts LaNiO3, La4Ni3O10, La3Ni2O7 and La2NiO4

A large amount of more graphitic carbon nanotubes with a narrow size distribution was produced from catalytic decomposition of CH₄ over pre-reduced LaNiO₃, La₄Ni₃O₁₀, La₃Ni₂O₇ and La₂NiO₄. The structure and component of fresh and reduced LaNiO₃, La₄Ni₃O₁₀, La₃Ni₂O₇ and La₂NiO₄ were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The carbon nanotubes obtained were characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Thermal oxidation of carbon nanotubes in air was made by thermogravimetric experiments (TG). The results revealed that the value of La/Ni in different catalyst precursors influences the diameter distribution and graphitic degree of carbon nanotubes. Lower La/Ni leads to wider diameter and higher graphitic degree of carbon nanotubes.     

Studies on oxidative coupling of methane using Sm2O3-based catalysts

The effects of Mn/Na₂WO₄, Li, and CaO loading on the monoclinic Sm₂O₃ catalyst were investigated for the oxidative coupling of methane using O₂ or N₂O as an oxidant. The catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation method and characterized by XRD, BET, CO₂-TPD, and XPS analysis. Impregnation of Mn/Na₂WO₄ on monoclinic Sm₂O₃ resulted in the formation of Sm_2?xMn_xO₃ phase, decreasing the catalytic performance. Li impregnation increased the C₂ selectivity but decreased the catalytic activity. The SmLiO₂ formation increased the catalytic activity and selectivity. High amounts of CaO impregnation increased the C₂ selectivity of monoclinic Sm₂O₃ without a loss in catalytic activity. 6Li/m-Sm₂O₃ were found unstable due to the Li loss from the catalyst. The 15CaO/m-Sm₂O₃ was quite stable and showed 8.2% ethylene yield with N₂O use, much higher than that was obtained with the well-known 2Mn/5Na₂WO₄/SiO₂ and 4Li/MgO catalysts. N₂O was more selective than O₂ as an oxidant and enhanced ethylene formation.     

Oxidative transformations of methane: From the fixed bed to nanoreactors

Oxidative transformations of methane on a catalyst (0.9 wt % of La₂O₃ + 0.1 wt % of CeO₂)/MgO located inside the pores of a ceramic membrane occur at temperatures as low as 550°C with a high selectivity that was not previously observed, and terminate mainly with the formation of synthesis gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen). The observed result is composed of the thermolysis reaction of methane yielding hydrogen and carbon, and comprises the subsequent reverse Buduar reaction. The reforming of carbon dioxide runs intensively when a methane-carbon dioxide mixture is fed into a membrane reactor at 650°C.

     

Unsteady oxidative conversion of methane to C2-hydrocarbons over La2O3 catalyst

Unsteady reaction behaviour with periodic fluctuations in reaction temperature and concentration indicating symmetric oscillations in the oxidative coupling of methane over La₂O₃ (obtained from lanthanum acetate by thermal decomposition in air at 600 °C and subsequently calcined in N₂ at 750 °C) above 550 °C but below 700 °C has been observed.     

Oxidative coupling of methane over Ce4+-doped Ba3 WO6 catalysts: investigation on oxygen species responsible for catalytic performance

Ce⁴⁺ doped Ba₃ WO₆ complex oxides were used as catalysts for methane oxidative coupling (MOC), and characterized by XPS and O₂-TPD-MS techniques. The results indicate that the ratio of electrophilic oxygen species O^– and O ₂ ^– to lattice oxygen on the surface is crucial for C₂ selectivity. By adjusting the relative amount of cations in Ba-W-Ce complex oxides with perovskite superstructure interstitial oxygen species can be created which benefits C₂ selectivity by raising the relative amount of (O^– + O ₂ ^– ) on the surface.     

Halogenated La1.6Sr.04CuO4 catalysts active for ethane selective oxidation to ethene

The catalytic performances and characterization of the catalysts La_1.6Sr_0.4CuO_3.852, La_1.6Sr_0.4CuO_3.857F_0.143, and La_1.6Sr_0.4 CuO_3.856Cl_0.126 have been investigated for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODE) to ethene. X‐ray diffraction results indicated that the three catalysts have a single‐phase tetragonal K₂NiF₄-type structure. The incorporation of fluoride or chloride ions in the La_1.6Sr_0.4CuO_4-δ lattice can significantly enhance C₂H₆ conversion and C₂H₄ selectivity. We observed 83.2% C₂H₆ conversion, 76.7% C₂H₄ selectivity, and 63.8% C₂H₄ yield over La_1.6Sr_0.4CuO_3.857F_0.143> and 79.6% C₂H₆ conversion, 74.6% C₂H₄ selectivity, and 59.4% C₂H₄ yield over La_1.6Sr_0.4CuO_3.856Cl_0.126 under the reaction conditions of C₂H₆/O₂/N₂ molar ratio 2/1/3.7, temperature 660°C, and space velocity 6000 ml h^-1 g^-1. With the rise in space velocity, C₂H₆ conversion decreased, whereas C₂H₄ selectivity increased. Life studies showed that the two catalysts were durable within 60 h of on‐stream ODE reaction. Based on the results of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, O₂ temperature-programmed desorption, and C₂H₆ and C₂H₆/O₂/N₂ (2/1/3.7 molar ratio) pulse studies, we conclude that (i) the inclusion of halide ions in the La_1.6Sr_0.4CuO_4δ lattice could promote lattice oxygen mobility, and (ii) the O^- species accommodated in oxygen vacancies and desorbed below 600°C favor ethane complete oxidation whereas the lattice oxygen species desorbed in the 600–700°C range are active for ethane selective oxidation to ethene. By regulating the oxygen vacancy density and Cu³/Cu ratio in the K₂NiF₄-type halo-oxide catalyst, one can generate a durable catalyst with good performance for the ODE reaction. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Partial oxidation of methane over ruthenium catalysts

The catalytic partial oxidation of methane with oxygen to produce synthesis gas was studied under a wide range of conditions over supported ruthenium catalysts. The microreador results demonstrated the high activity of ruthenium catalysts for this reaction. A catalyst having as little as 0.015% (w/w) Ru on Al₂O₃ gave a higher synthesis gas selectivity than a catalyst having 5% Ni on SiO₂. XANES measurements for fresh and used catalyst samples confirmed that ruthenium is reduced from ruthenium dioxide to ruthenium metal early during the experiments. Ruthenium metal is thus the active element for the methane partial oxidation reaction.     

SSITKA studies of the catalytic flameless combustion of methane

This paper presents results which were obtained for the flameless combustion of methane over the Pd(PdO)/Al₂O₃ catalyst by using the steady state isotopic transient kinetic analysis method. During the reaction switches between ¹⁶O₂/Ar/CH₄/He and ¹⁸O₂/CH₄/He were carried out. The obtained results indicate the presence of large amounts of oxygen as well as of intermediates leading to the formation of carbon dioxide on the surface of the palladium catalyst. Additionally, information was obtained proving that the complete oxidation of methane over Pd/Al₂O₃ catalyst proceeds according to the Mars and van Krevelen redox mechanism. With the increase of the reaction temperature there is an increase in the number of active centres on the Pd(PdO)/Al₂O₃ catalyst surface—a larger amount of oxygen from the lattice of the catalyst is accessible for the reaction of methane oxidation.