Water-treated Rh/γ-Al2O3 catalyst for methane partial oxidation

Abstract

A water treatment technique, using H2 as a reducing agent in a wet environment, was applied to a conventional Rh/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. Both standard- and water-treated Rh/γ-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared and their catalytic performances were tested in methane partial oxidation reaction. The water-treated Rh/γ-Al2O3 catalyst shows higher CO selectivity and lower CO2 selectivity between 300 and 600 °C, compared with the standard-treated catalyst. The enhancement is attributed to the formation of well-dispersed smaller Rh nanoparticles.