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Hydrogenation of surface carbon on alumina-supported nickel

Journal Article · · J. Catal.; (United States)

Four types of carbon were observed to form on an alumina-supported nickel methanation catalyst on exposure to carbon monoxide at 550 +- 50 K. In order of their reactivity toward hydrogen the carbon species may be classified as: chemisorbed carbon atoms (..cap alpha..), bulk nickel carbide, amorphous carbon (..beta..), and crystalline elemental carbon. The ..cap alpha..-phase and initial monolayers of Ni/sub 3/C are much mre reactive than the elemental forms as measured by temperature-programmed surface reaction in 100 kPa H/sub 2/. At 550 K the ..cap alpha..- and ..beta..-carbon species formed by CO exposure populate the surface at a ratio of about 2:1. Both phases are relatively stable on heating to 600 K in a He atmosphere. At higher temperatures, slow conversion of ..cap alpha..- and ..beta..-carbon to graphite was oserved. Hydrogenation of the ..cap alpha.. state at 550 K leads to methane at a sufficiently fast rate to make it a likely intermediate in nickel-catalyzed methane synthesis from hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Research Organization:
SRI International, Menlo Park, CA
OSTI ID:
6274427
Journal Information:
J. Catal.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Catal.; (United States) Vol. 57:3; ISSN JCTLA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English