Enhanced methanation stability of nano-sized MoS₂ catalysts by adding Al₂O₃

Abstract

A series of unsupported MoS₂ catalysts with or without Al₂O₃ modification was prepared using a modified thermal decomposition approach. The catalysts were tested for the methanation of carbon monoxide and the optimum one has 25.6 wt-% Al₂O₃ content. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption measurement, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that adding appropriate amount of Al₂O₃ increases the dispersion of MoS₂, and the increased interaction force between MoS₂ and Al₂O₃ can inhibit the sintering of active MoS₂ to some extent.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

unsupported catalyst / molybdenum sulfide / stability / alumina / methanation

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Commission (No. 14JCZDJC37500).

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2014 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg