Study of partial oxidation of methane over La-modified Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalyst with different preparation methods

La modified Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts prepared by co-deposition and impregnation methods for partial oxidation of methane (POM) were studied. Catalysts prepared by co-deposition method show high activity and stability because of high dispersion. The CH4 conversion was close to 100% and H2 selectivity reached 99. 8% over La modified Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts with co-deposition method under the condition of space velocity =80 000h-1 and CH4/O2/N2 = 14/7/79 (in vol) at 800°C. By BET, TPR and XRD, it was found that the addition of La enhanced the surface area of the catalysts, lowed reduction temperature of active component and improved the stability of the supports. Meanwhile, the catalysts prepared with co-deposition inhibited the formation of granular NiAl2O4, thus it showed high activity for POM.