Author(s)

Daniele M. H. Martinelli, Dulce M. A. Melo, Anne M. Garrido Pedrosa, Antonio E. Martinelli, Marcus A. de F. Melo, Mary K. S. Batista, Roberto C. Bitencourt

Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, CCET, Department of Chemistry, Natal, Brazil.
Federal University of Sergipe, CCET, Department of Chemistry, Sao Cristóv?o, Brazil.
Research Center Petrobras—Cenpes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

In the current work, LaNiO₃ perovskite was synthesized using the polymeric precursor method. The materials were thermally treated at 300°C for 2 hours, subsequently supported on alumina or zirconia and finally calcined at 800°C for 4 hours. The resulting samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, BET surface area and thermo-programmed reduction. Steam reforming reactions were carried out at 750°C and 6 bar during 4 hours using a pilot reactor under a H₂O:CH₄ ratio of 2.5. The mass of catalysts was about 5.7 g. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the formation of the perovskite structure in all samples prepared. The results also showed that lanthanum nickelate was more efficient when supported on alumina than zirconia. Finally, it was observed that the methane conversion was approximately 94% and the selectivity to hydrogen was about 70%. In all cases low selectivity to CO and CO₂ was verified.

Lanthanum Nickelate; Perovskite; Polymeric Precursor Method; Steam Reforming Reaction

D. M. H. Martinelli, D. M. A. Melo, A. M. Garrido Pedrosa, A. E. Martinelli, M. A. de F. Melo, M. K. S. Batista and R. C. Bitencourt, "Use of Perovskite-Type Lanthanum Nickelate Synthesized by the Polymeric Precursor Method in the Steam Reforming Reaction of Methane," Materials Sciences and Applications, Vol. 3 No. 6, 2012, pp. 363-368. doi: 10.4236/msa.2012.36052.