Mechanistic study and catalyst development for selective carbon monoxide methanation

Abstract

Selective CO methanation has been attractive as a CO removal technique from reforming gases in polymer electrolyte fuel cell systems. The catalysts for the title reaction require the following two features: (i) high CO methanation activity at low temperatures and (ii) low CO₂ methanation activity at high temperatures. In this review, we surveyed numerous studies of selective CO methanation using heterogeneous catalysts, and discussed its plausible mechanism. Furthermore, we summarized how the activity and selectivity of CO methanation can be affected by the particle size of active metals, support materials, and additives.