Plasma catalytic reaction of methane over nanostructured Ru/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts in dielectric-barrier discharge

Abstract

Ru/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by Ru impregnation inside the mesopores of spherical nanostructured gamma-Al2O3 granules, which were synthesized by combining the modified Yoldas process and the oil-drop method. The prepared Ru/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts were reduced through a novel method using plasma, which we name plasma-assisted reduction (PAR), and then they were used for methane conversion in a dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD). The effects of the Ru loading and calcination temperature on the methane conversion, selectivities, and yields of the products were investigated. The prepared Ru/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts were successfully reduced by PAR. The main products of methane conversion were light alkanes (such as C2H6, C3H8, and C4H10) when the catalytic plasma. reaction was performed using the Ru/gamma-Al2O3 catalyst. Methane conversion was in the range 32 similar to 37% depending on the Ru loading and calcination temperature. The highest yield of C2H6 was 8.7% when using 3 wt% Ru/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts obtained after calcination at 400 degrees C.