Effect of surface properties and NiO-MgO solid solution formation on CO₂ methanation over Ni/(Al₂O₃)_1-x(MgO)_x

This work aims to develop nickel catalysts for CO₂ methanation. Methanation is an alternative way to utilize CO₂ and convert carbon into a combustible energy source. To study the effect of surface properties and NiO-MgO solid solution formation, an amount of 10 wt-% of nickel was wet impregnated on Al₂O₃, MgO and MgO-Al₂O₃ (with 45/55 wt-% ratio) supports. The activities of the catalysts were evaluated, and the results were connected to the characterization results. The Ni/Al₂O₃ demonstrated the highest efficiency due to weak NiO-support interaction leading to easy reduction and higher dispersion. In contrast, the basicity of MgO and solid solution formation weaken the performance.