Mathias Barreau

Uncovering the critical function of lanthanum in CH4 production from CO2 using exsolved LaNiO3 perovskite catalysts CO2 methanation, also known as Sabatier reaction, is of great environmental interest as a sustainable process for energy production and storage. Herein, we report the development of a Ni-La2O3 catalyst for CO2 methanation prepared upon reduction of LaNiO3 perovskite precursor.

Graphical Abstract Ni-doped CeO2 nanoparticles were synthesized and tested for CO2 hydrogenation to CH4 showing high Ni mass-specific activity and CH4 selectivity. Operando spectroscopy combined with theoretical calculations identified ionic Ni species embedded in ceria as the catalytically active centers. Installation of highly dispersed ionic Ni species in the oxide matrix achieved a heterogeneous catalyst with high performance.

An exceptional reactivity between NO2 and probably HNCO was demonstrated over an oxide-based catalyst during NO2-SCR experiments with urea as injected reductant. This was observed when only NO2 was used as NOx, but not with gaseous NH3 as reductant. Roughly, one third the injected reductant reacted with NO2 and two thirds appeared oxidized by O2, the main product being N2. 28 reactions may be involved in the observed results.