Evaluation of TiO2 nanotube supported Ru catalyst for syngas production

Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube array (TiNT) was prepared by an electrochemical anodization method, and used as a support for Ru catalyst. The thermal stability of TiNT was evaluated under different annealing temperatures. The effect of Ru loading amount and inlet O-2/CO2 molar ratio on the syngas production by the combination reactions of the partial oxidation of methane reaction (POM) with carbon dioxide reforming with methane reaction (CRM) over Ru/TiNT were studied. Finally, the heat transfer property of Ru/TiNT was evaluated by measuring the bed temperature profiles under different conditions. Results show that TiNT is stable at an annealing temperature as high as 800 degrees C, and the monolithic-like structured Ru/TiNT has a superior ability of heat transfer in comparison with particle catalyst Ru/TiO2-P25. The good thermal stability and heat transfer properties of TiNT, and the high activity of Ru/TiNT show that TiNT is a potential support material for the harsh syngas production reactions. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.