Studies of Nickel/Samarium-Doped Ceria for Catalytic Partial Oxidation of Methane and Effect of Oxygen Vacancy

We investigated the performance of nickel/samarium-doped ceria (Ni/SDC) nanocatalysts on catalytic partial oxidation methane (CPOM). Studies temperature-programmed surface reaction and reduction reveal that activity is determined by a synergistic effect produced Ni metals metal-support interaction. Catalytic was more dependent content below 600 °C, while there not much difference for all catalysts at high temperatures. The catalyst exhibiting activities toward syngas production (i.e., CH4 conversion >90% 700 °C) requires medium Ni-SDC interaction with an Sm/Ce ratio about 1/9 to 2/8. This accounted optimum oxygen vacancies adequate ion diffusivity in SDCs which, as reported, also display highest conductivity fuel cell applications.