Nd-Doped Barium Cerate Nano-Sized Catalyst Converts CH4 into CO2 at Lower Temperature Compared to Noble Metal-Based Pd/Al2O3 Catalyst

The present paper describes the synthesis and first application of Nd-doped BaCeO3 nanoparticles as catalyst for the catalytic oxidation of methane (CH4) into CO2. Nd-doped barium cerate BaCeO3 nanoparticles, with the formula BaNdxCe(1-x)O3, have been prepared using a simple sol gel method starting from acetate precursors. The as-prepared nanoparticles have been fully characterized by XRD, TEM, HRTEM and specific surface area measurement. Results confirmed the formation of highly crystallized nano-sized particles with small crystallite size. In-situ FTIR spectroscopy was used to study the catalytic conversion of methane (CH4) into CO2 in the presence of the as-prepared Nd-doped BaCeO3 nanocatalyst. The catalytic properties of such nanocatalysts have been discussed and correlated to Nd-doping rate, crystallite diameter, and specific surface area of the materials. Excellent catalytic properties have been obtained with BaNd0.05Ce0.95O3, such as, superior conversion efficiency, longer catalysis lifetime and lower activation temperature compared to un-doped BaCeO3 catalyst. Interestingly, it was found that BaNd0.05Ce0.95O3 nanocatalyst successfully converts the totality of CH4 present in a mixture of CH4-Air into CO2 at much lower temperature compared to the conventional Pd/Al2O3 catalyst.