Low-temperature CO2 methanation: synergistic effects in plasma-Ni hybrid catalytic system

Thermodynamic and kinetic limitations can restrict the feasibility and scalability of conventional catalytic processes for CO2 methanation at the industrial level. Due to its non-equilibrium nature, non-thermal plasma (NTP) promises to reduce reaction barriers and make this gas conversion approach viable even at low temperatures. However, current understanding of the fundamental chemical and physical behaviours in the hybrid plasma catalytic interactions is insufficient. This study demonstrates plasma-driven CO2 conversions approaching the reaction equilibrium with high methane yields even at low temperature (150 oC). It was observed that addition of plasma to catalytic bed enhanced the CO2 conversion around 20 times relative to thermal activity, whereas the CH4 selectivity increased around 5 times by introducing the nickel catalyst into plasma discharge compared to plasma only (at 150 oC). Moreover, the findings provide new insights into the gas phase activation of reactants (CO2 and H2) and reaction ove...