Catalytic combustion of methane over M (Ni, Co, Cu) supported on ceria–magnesia

The catalytic activity of a series of M(= Ni, Co, Cu)/(CeO2)x–(MgO)1 − x catalysts for methane combustion was investigated. (CeO2)x–(MgO)1 − x supports were prepared by a sol-gel method. The influence of CeO2 content and active components such as Ni, Co and Cu are discussed. The results indicate that the activity of the catalysts depends strongly on CeO2 content. The Ni/(CeO2)0.1 − (MgO)0.9 catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity and good thermal stability for methane combustion. The highly dispersed NiO is the main active site for methane combustion. Fresh M (Ni, Co and Cu)/(CeO2)0.1–(MgO)0.9 catalysts showed that the activity of CuO for methane combustion was slightly higher than that of NiO and CoO, while the thermal stability increased in the order Cu < Co < Ni. Cu/(CeO2)0.1–(MgO)0.9 catalyst was sintered after a second evaluation. Consequently, (CeO2)0.1–(MgO)0.9 is deemed to be a good support for Ni.