Optimization of Co-precipitation Condition for Preparing Molybdenum-Based Sulfur-Resistant Methanation Catalysts

Abstract

In this study, the effects of ZrO₂ carrier precursors, MoO₃ loading, and washing treatment on the catalytic performance of MoO₃/ZrO₂ toward sulfur-resistant methanation were investigated. All the catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method and further characterized by N₂ adsorption–desorption, H₂-temperature-programmed reduction, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The prepared MoO₃/ZrO₂ catalysts were tested in a continuous-flow pressurized fixed bed reactor for CO methanation. The results revealed that the carrier precursors, MoO₃ loading, and washing treatment affected not only the crystalline phase of Mo species but also the grain size of ZrO₂ carrier and consequently influenced the MoO₃/ZrO₂ activity toward sulfur-resistant methanation. The 25 wt% MoO₃/ZrO₂ catalyst prepared using Zr(NO₃)₄·5H₂O as the precursor and treated by water washing displayed the best activity for sulfur-resistant methanation due to its greater number of octahedral Mo species and smaller ZrO₂ grain size.

Keywords

Sulfur-resistant methanation / Co-precipitation / Molybdenum / ZrO₂

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