Catalysis Today, Vol.343, 48-55, 2020
CNx stabilized Ni-Ga nanoparticles for CO2 hydrogenation: Role of preparation methods
Carbon based framework are believed to be adsorbed large amount of hydrogen reversibly on its surface and this adsorbed active H-species can increase the rate of surface hydrogenation reactions. The basic nitrogen functionality if present can provides additional sites for adsorption of CO2 molecule. On this regard, CO2 hydrogenation has been investigated on multifunctional nitrogen doped carbon (CNx) consisting of Ni-Ga nanoparticles. Alloy nanoparticles (2-10 nm) of Ni3Ga and Ni3Ga5 has been identified from HR-TEM in combination of d value calculation form XRD. Whereas, mix Ni and Ni-Ga phase appears in case of higher loading catalyst i.e. NG-CNx-3. Under experimental conditions (2 MPa, 280 degrees C), the CO2 hydrogenation products are CH4, CO (major) and methanol. The activity of the synthesised catalysts strictly depends on the synthesis method and support. The catalyst consisting 14 and 9 (wt %) of Ni and Ga on CNx (NG-CNx-2) shows highest catalytic activity in terms of CO2 conversion. While NGBCNx-2 with 14 and 9 (wt %) of Ni and Ga on BCNx is found to be active towards methanol selectivity which may be due to the finely dispersed Ni-Ga alloy nanoparticles with size distribution between 2-5 nm.