Effect of glow discharge plasma treatment on the performance of Ni/SiO2 catalyst in CO2 methanation

Ni/SiO2 catalysts were prepared by impregnation method and treated by glow discharge plasma. The Ni/SiO2 catalysts were characterized by CO2-TPD and H2-TPR; the effects of plasma treatment on the performances of Ni/SiO2 in adsorption, reduction, and catalytic methanation of CO2 were investigated. The results showed that the plasma treatment can remarkably improve the dispersion of active components and enhance the reactivity of Ni/SiO2 catalyst. The catalytic performance of Ni/SiO2 in CO2 methanation is also enhanced by the plasma treatment; the conversion of CO2 and the space time yield of CH4 over the plasma modified catalyst are higher than those over the Ni/SiO2 catalyst obtained through conventional impregnation and calcination method.