The impact of support selection and Co loading amount on the catalytic performance for methane combustion

Methane (CH 4 ) is a key component of natural gas and is essential for energy production and utilization. However, due to its strong greenhouse effect, efficient catalytic combustion methods are needed to convert it into CO 2 and H 2 O. This study systematically evaluates the catalytic performance of Co, CoO, and Co 3 O 4 in methane catalytic combustion, particularly highlighting the superior activity of Co 3 O 4 . To improve catalytic efficiency, this paper examines the effects of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , and CeO 2 as support materials using co-precipitation and impregnation methods. The results show a significant improvement in the catalytic activity of Co 3 O 4 supported on CeO 2 , attributed to CeO 2 's unique redox properties and high oxygen storage capacity. Additionally, the study explores the impact of different loading amounts (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) of Co 3 O 4 (x)-CeO 2 catalysts on their performance. The optimal 10%wt Co 3 O 4 –CeO 2 catalyst achieves methane conversion rates of 10%, 50%, and 90% at temperatures of 376 °C, 473 °C, and 578 °C, respectively, demonstrating exceptional stability during a 20-h stability test and the ability to adapt to fluctuations in CH 4 concentrations in low-oxygen environments, while also exhibiting significant catalytic activity across a range of methane concentrations from 0.5% to 2.5%. These findings provide important theoretical and experimental guidance for the application of cobalt-based catalysts in CH 4 combustion, paving the way for future catalyst design and optimization.