Yttria promoted metallic nickel catalysts for the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas

A metallic Ni catalyst was prepared with nickel sponge, followed by acid treatment. It was further promoted with yttria by an impregnation method. The catalysts were characterized by SEM, BET, XRD, TPR, XPS, etc., and studied in the partial oxidation of methane to syngas. The characterization results showed that the yttria promoted metallic Ni catalysts had high specific surface area and more NiO. The reaction results showed that the yttria promoter increased the CH4 conversion and the selectivity for H2 and CO.