Preparation of Co/Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 catalysts and their catalytic performance in methane partial oxidation to produce synthesis gas

Porous Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 solid solution support was prepared by co-precipitation and then different contents of Co (10%, 20%, and 30 %) were loaded over the Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 support by impregnation; the Co/Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 catalysts obtained in this way were used in partial oxidation of methane (POM) to produce synthesis gas. The fresh catalysts were characterized by N2 physical sorption (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction by hydrogen (H2-TPR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The amount of deposited carbon over the spent catalysts after POM tests was determined by temperature-programmed oxidation (O2-TPO) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The results showed that cobalt oxide over Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 is easy to be reduced to metal cobalt. The Co/Ce0.5Zr0.5O2 catalysts show high activity and selectivity to H2 and CO in methane partial oxidation; higher Co loading is beneficial to enhance their catalytic activity and resistance to catalyst deactivation from coke deposition.