Insight mechanistic study of samarium oxide based catalyst in methanation reaction

Abstract

An understanding of the mechanism of chemical reactions is needed to optimize the reaction process and improve performance. The adsorption of reactant molecules, formation of reaction intermediates, and finally the distribution of products depend on the composition and surface structure of the catalyst. This research work deployed Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography (GC) to identify the mechanism of Sm/Mn/Ru (60:35:5)/Al2O3 catalyst. The envisioned methanation reaction initially follows the Langmuir Hinselwood mechanism with the adsorption of CO2 and H2 gases on the catalyst surface. From the gaseous product, only methane peak was observed. Meanwhile, from the liquid product, methanol peak is observed at retention time 20 mins which accordance with standard methanol. Therefore, the final products acquired from the methanation reaction of Sm/Mn/Ru (60:35:5)/Al2O3 catalyst are CH4, CH3OH and H2O.