Effects of ZrO₂ and Al₂O₃ on the performance of Mo-based catalysts in methanation

Mo/ZrO₂ and Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts with a MoO₃ loading of 5% were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method; the effect of support on the performance of Mo-based catalysts in methanation was then investigated in three different feeds. The results indicate that ZrO₂ as a support can promote the methanation and water-gas shift (WGS) reaction. ZrO₂ is beneficial to the sulfuration and reduction of MoO₃. The Mo sulfidation degree and the content of Mo⁴⁺ on Mo/ZrO₂ are higher than that on Mo/Al₂O₃. Besides, the curved MoS₂ basal plane on Mo/ZrO₂ can provide the active sites for methanation and WGS, which is effective to enhance the performance of Mo-based catalysts in methanation.