Carbon Dioxide Valorization into Methane Using Samarium Oxide-Supported Monometallic and Bimetallic Catalysts

Samarium oxide (Sm2O3) is a versatile surface for CO2 and H2 interaction and conversion. Samarium oxide-supported Ni, samarium oxide-supported Co-Ni, and samarium oxide-supported Ru-Ni catalysts were tested for CO2 methanation and were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, infrared spectroscopy, H2-temperature programmed reduction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Limited H2 dissociation and widely available surface carbonate and formate species over 20 wt.% Ni, dispersed over Sm2O3, resulted in ~98% CH4 selectivity. The low selectivity for CO could be due to the reforming reaction between CH4 (methanation product) and CO2. Co-impregnation of cobalt with nickel over Sm2O3 had high surface adsorbed oxygen and higher CO selectivity. On the other hand, co-impregnation of ruthenium and nickel over Sm2O3 led to more than one catalytic active site, carbonate species, lack of formate species, and 94% CH4 selectivity. It indicated the following route of CH4 synthesis over Ru-Ni/Sm2O3; carbonate → unstable formate → CO → CH4.