Stabilisation of active nickel catalysts in partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas by iron addition

Mixed LaNixFe(1-x)O-3 perovskite oxides (0 less than or equal to x less tha n or equal to 1) have been prepared by a sol-gel related method, characteri sed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area measurements, transmi ssion electron microscopy (TEM) coupled to an energy dispersive X-ray spect rometer (EDS). These systems are the precursors of highly efficient catalys ts in partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas. Studies on the state o f these systems after test show the stabilisation of active nickel by incre asing the amount of iron. These systems permit to control the reversible mi gration of nickel from the structure to the surface. The best mixed perovsk ite for the partial oxidation of methane is LaNi0.3Fe0.7O3. (C) 1999 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.