Abstract: The novel Ni-based catalyst for CO2 methanation, Ni-La/γ-Al2O3, was prepared by the plasma method and the effect of the plasma introduction mode on the catalytic performance was investigated. The catalyst treated with plasma followed by reduction exhibited high activity at low temperature. The CO2 conversion over this catalyst was 84.6% under the conditions of 101.325 kPa,13500h-1, H2/CO2 molar ratio of 2.5, and 250 ℃, whereas that over the conventional catalyst was 57.4%. The catalyst was characterized using temperature-programmed reduction and desorption, oxygen titration, N2 adsorption,X-raydiffraction,X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry analysis. The results indicated that the plasma treatment enlarged the surface area of the sample, favored the formation of small size crystals, and facilitated the high dispersion and enrichment of the Ni element on the catalyst surface.

Key words: plasma, nickel, lanthana, alumina, carbon dioxide, methanation