Development of mono and bimetallic Ni, Fe and NiM catalysts for CO2 methanation on sustainable biochar supports
摘要
Sabatier reaction is an emerging strategy for mitigating anthropogenic CO2 emissions while producing renewable CH4, a versatile energy carrier for heating, electricity generation, and hydrogen production. Developing efficient, low-cost catalysts is challenging, particularly in achieving stable, well-dispersed supports with tunable surface chemistry for methanation. Biochar derived from agrowastes offers a sustainable alternative to conventional oxide supports owing to its low cost, high carbon content, tunable micro-mesoporosity, and ability to anchor metal nanoparticles. Herein, we design and evaluate date palm trunk biochar-immobilized mono and bimetallic Ni, Fe, and NiM (M = Fe or K) catalysts for CO2 methanation. With specific objectives of developing a sustainable supported catalyst by pyrolysis at 500 °C, and evaluating the influence of temperature and pressure on using an industrially relevant H2/CO2 ratio of 3. CO2 methanation performance was assessed in a continuous-flow reactor. The biochar exhibited favorable micro-mesoporous characteristics and high carbon content, enabling effective metal dispersion. Ni loading strongly influenced catalytic performance; the optimal catalyst (0.5 mmol Ni g−1, BCNi-3.0) achieved 58% CO2 conversion and 91% CH4 selectivity at 400 °C and 1 bar. Increasing pressure to 30 bar enhanced performance to 76% CO2 conversion and nearly 99% CH4 selectivity, with stable operation over 20 h. Bimetallic NiFe catalysts formed NiFe2O4 and NiO phases and promoted CO formation via the reverse water gas shift reaction, while K promotion further favored CO production. Overall, biochar-supported Ni-based catalysts demonstrate a sustainable and efficient platform for CO2 methanation with reduced hydrogen demand.