Catalysts based on strontium titanate doped with Ni/Co/Cu for dry reforming of methane

Abstract

Two series of strontium titanates doped with Ni, Co, or Cu with general formula of SrTi1-x Mex O3 for Sr-stoichiometric and Sr0.95 Ti1−x Mex O3 for Sr-non-stoichiometric materials (where Me = Ni, Co or Cu and x were 0.02 and 0.06) were obtained by the wet chemical method. The samples were calcinated at 900, 950, and 1050◦ C and characterized in terms of their structural properties (XRD), the possibility of undergoing the reduction and oxidation reactions (TPR/TPOx), and catalytic properties. All obtained materials were multiphase and although the XRD analysis does not confirm the presence of Ni, Co, and Cu oxides (with one exception for Cu-doped sample), the TPR/TPOx profiles show reduction peaks that can be attributed to the reduction of these oxides which may at first appear in an amorphous form. Catalytic tests in dry reforming of methane reaction showed that the highest catalytic activity was achieved for Ni-doped materials (up to 90% of CH4 conversion) while Co and Cu-doped samples showed only a very slight catalytic effect. Additionally, the decrease in methane conversion with an increasing calcination temperature was observed for Ni-doped strontium titanates.