Efficient and Stable Ni/ZSM-5@MCM-41 Catalyst for CO2 Methanation

In this work, a Ni-based catalyst supported on a core–shell structure catalytic carrier material (Ni/ZSM-5@MCM-41) based on kaolinite tailings is reported, which exhibits excellent CO2 methanation performance at atmospheric pressure. At 400 °C, CO2 conversion and CH4 selectivity reach 80 and 97% with the space velocity of 12,000 mL gcat–1 h–1, respectively, and it can maintain good stability during the 80 h stability test. Compared with traditional Ni/ZSM-5 and Ni/MCM-41 catalysts, Ni/ZSM-5@MCM-41 has more substantial confinement effects on the active components, and the active components are more evenly dispersed on surface of the carrier. In addition, it is confirmed by the in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy technique that CO2 methanation over the Ni/ZSM-5@MCM-41 catalyst follows the path of formate and CO as intermediates.