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Updated: Aug 19, 2025

Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Ceria-Supported Cobalt Catalyst for Low-Temperature Methanation at Low Partial Pressures of CO2
Job J C Struijs1, Valery Muravev1, Marcel A Verheijen2,3
1Laboratory of Inorganic Materials and Catalysis, Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The direct catalytic conversion of atmospheric CO2 to valuable chemicals is a promising solution to avert negative consequences of rising CO2 concentration. However, heterogeneous catalysts efficient at low partial pressures of CO2 still need to be developed. Here, we explore Co/CeO2 as a catalyst for the methanation of diluted CO2 streams. This material displays an excellent performance at reaction temperatures as low as 175 °C and CO2 partial pressures as low as 0.4 mbar (the atmospheric CO2 concentration). To gain mechanistic understanding of this unusual activity, we employed in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and operando infrared spectroscopy. The higher surface concentration and reactivity of formates and carbonyls-key reaction intermediates-explain the superior activity of Co/CeO2 as compared to a conventional Co/SiO2 catalyst. This work emphasizes the catalytic role of the cobalt-ceria interface and will aid in developing more efficient CO2 hydrogenation catalysts.
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