Partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas over supported Ni catalysts prepared from Ni-Ca/Al-layered double hydroxide

The Ni-supported catalysts have been prepared in situ by the solid phase cr ystallization (spc) method starting from layered double hydroxides (LDHs) a s the precursor and tested for the partial oxidation of methane to synthesi s gas. The spc-Ni/M-Al (M: Mg, Ca and Sr) catalysts were prepared from Ni-M /Al-LDHs as the precursors, and the activities were studied in relation to the structure of the catalysts and compared with those prepared by the impr egnation method. Among the catalysts tested, spc-Ni/Ca-Al was easily reduce d to form active Ni metal particles during the reaction and showed the high est activity and selectivity to synthesis gas production as well as the hig hest sustainability against coke formation on the catalyst. The high activi ty and the high sustainability against coke formation of spc-Ni/Ca-Al may b e due to the stable and highly dispersed Ni metal particles in addition to the basic property of Ca-Al mixed oxide as the support. (C) 2001 Elsevier S cience B.V. All rights reserved.