Effect of Pd and Ir as Promoters in the Activity of Ni/CeZrO2 Catalyst for the Reverse Water-Gas Shift Reaction

Catalytic conversion of CO2 to CO using reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction is a key intermediate step for many CO2 utilization processes. RWGS followed by well-known synthesis gas conversion may emerge as a potential approach to convert CO2 to valuable chemicals and fuels. Nickel (Ni) based catalysts with ceria-zirconia (Ce-Zr) support can be used to tune the metal-support interactions, resulting in a potentially enhanced CO2 hydrogenation rate and elongation of the catalyst lifespan. The thermodynamics of RWGS reaction is favored at high temperature for CO2 conversion. In this paper the effect of Palladium (Pd) and Iridium (Ir) as promoters in the activity of 10 wt%Ni 2 wt%Pd 0.1wt%Ir/CeZrO2 catalyst for the reverse water gas shift reaction was investigated. RWGS was studied for different feed (CO2:H2) ratios. The new active interface between Ni, Pd and Ir particles is proposed to be an important factor in enhancing catalytic activity. 10 wt%Ni 2 wt%Pd 0.1 wt%Ir/CeZrO2 catalyst showed a better activity with CO2 conversion of 52.4% and a CO selectivity of 98% for H2:CO2 (1:1) compared to the activity of 10%Ni/CeZrO2 with CO2 conversion of 49.9% and a CO selectivity of 93%. The catalytic activity for different feed ratios using 10 wt%Ni 2 wt%Pd 0.1 wt%Ir/CeZrO2 were also studied. The use of palladium and iridium boosts the stability and life span of the Ni-based catalysts. This indicates that the catalyst could be used potentially to design RWGS reactors for CO2 utilization units.