Synergistic effect of composite catalysts on the direct hydrogenation of carbon

Abstract

The catalytic reaction between an active carbon and hydrogen has been investigated with the objective of finding the effective catalyst system and reaction mechanism in agreement with the gas–solid catalytic reaction. The three-component catalyst, Ni or Co as the catalyst substrate combined with a small amount of La₂O₃ and a platinum group metal such as Ru, exerted a synergistic effect on the hydrogenation of the active carbon at temperatures within the range 300–800°C. The reaction mechanism, consisting of two-step hydrogen spillover to the active carbon through the platinum group metal and Ni + La₂O₃, is proposed on the basis of kinetic and adsorption data and micro-morphological observation.