CO2 hydrogenation into CH4 over Ni-Fe catalysts

Here, we report, for the first time, on the catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to methane at atmospheric pressure. For the preparation of hydrogenation catalysts based on Ni and Fe metals, a convenient method is developed. According to this method, low-temperature reduction of the co-precipitated Ni and Fe oxides with hydrogen gives the effective and selective bimetallic Ni70Fe30, Ni80Fe20 and Ni90Fe10 catalysts. At the temperature range of 300-400 degrees C, they exhibit a high efficiency of CH4 production with respect to monometallic Ni and Fe catalysts. The results imply a synergistic effect between Ni and Fe which caused the superior activity of the Ni80Fe20 catalyst conversing similar to 67% of CO2 into CH4 at 350 degrees C. To adapt the Ni-Fe catalysts in the industry, the effect of two different carriers on the efficiency of the alumina-supported Ni80Fe20 catalyst was investigated. It is found that the Ni80Fe20/alpha-Al2O3 catalyst effectively conversed CO2 giving 100% methane yield already at 275 degrees C.