Decoupling Structural and Surface Effects of Ni Supported on gamma-Al2O3 Catalysts for Methanation Reaction

This proposal focuses on the methanation of CO2 using H2 generated from water electrolysis, crucial for long-term energy storage from renewables. This highlights the importance of highly stable catalyst capable of resisting H2 dropouts. The aim is to investigate Ni@Al2O3 catalysts' activity and stability, emphasizing the influence of nanoparticle morphology and metal-support interaction. Preliminary In-situ PDF experiments at PETRA III reveal variations in Ni nanoparticle formation across different y-Al2O3 supports. Additionally, the corresponding catalytic activity differs. Combined in-situ PDF and DRIFTS experiments, along with mass spectrometry, will help to analyze how different properties of y-Al2O3 surfaces and disordered support structure influence catalyst activation and catalytic cycling, focusing on the support-metal interaction, surface chemistry and how different support materials impact the behaviour and stability during industrially relevant dropout scenarios.