Cockscomb-like fibrous silica beta zeolite (FSBEA) as a new engineered catalyst for enhanced CO methanation

Abstract

This study focuses on the synthesis of cockscomb-like fibrous silica beta zeolite (FSBEA) and its application in CO methanation to produce substituted natural gas (SNG). FSBEA was synthesized by microemulsion technique using commercial beta zeolite-seeds and characterized by FESEM, XRD, N2 physisorption and FTIR spectroscopy. The results showed that the FSBEA had a unique cockscomb-like morphology with particle size 400-800 nm, enhanced interparticle porosity and high BET surface area of 532 m2/g, which offers more adsorption sites for the CO and H2 molecules to enhance CO methanation activity. Catalytic performance results revealed that FSBEA demonstrated higher CO conversion (71%), selectivity (64%), the yield of CH4 (46%) and the rate of CH4 formation (0.0375 μmol-CH4/m2s) than commercial based BEA. Besides, FSBEA expressed high thermal stability up to 45 h during CO methanation at 450 °C. Therefore, this study offers an attractive and sustainable route for SNG over FSBEA that may be used as a clean and alternate energy source for fossil fuels.