Investigation of the Nickel‐Ceria Synergy for Efficient CO 2 Methanation Under Nonthermal Plasma Activation
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT This study investigates the synergy between nonthermal plasma and Ni/CeO 2 catalysts for efficient CO 2 methanation, with a particular focus on the roles of the synthesis route and nickel loading (1–15 wt.%). Catalysts prepared via sol‐gel and impregnation methods were characterized and evaluated under plasma‐assisted reaction. Among the series, the 15 wt.%Ni@CeO 2 ‐gel catalyst led to the highest specific activity (7.3 µmol CH 4 .g −1 .s −1 ). This performance is was attributed to the formation of a defective Ce 1‐x Ni x O 2‐γ solid solution possessing a high density of oxygen vacancies (≈16% Ce 3+ ), which provides basic and defect associated sites for CO 2 adsorption and activation. In contrast, surface basicity was not identified as a determining factor under nonthermal plasma activation. Electrical diagnostics based on Lissajous figures indicated that all catalysts possess a low capacitance (∼5‐35 pF), which is consistent with a discharge propagation on the catalyst surface rather than being localized at contact points. However, this parameter did not directly correlate with catalytic activity. Overall, the results of this study show that the performance of plasma assisted CO 2 methanation relies primarily on the surface defect chemistry, metal‐support interactions, and accessible hydrogenation sites.
Source: ChemCatChem
DOI: 10.1002/cctc.70950
Language: English
Subfield: Catalysis
Field: Chemical Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W7171318979