Research

Fossil raw materials have been used as energy sources for decades. Nowadays, it is known that the resulting greenhouse gas emissions from these raw materials play a decisive role in global warming. This, and the fact that the supply of fossil raw materials is finite, are reasons for alternatives to be found.

 

The Sabatier-reaction describes the conversion of CO₂ and H₂ to methane. This well-known process offers the possibility to produce methane sustainably, by using recycled CO₂ on the one hand and green hydrogen from electrical water splitting on the other hand. Moreover, the methane produced this way can be integrated into already established processes.

Supported nickel catalysts are often used as catalysts, because in comparison to noble metal systems, they are much cheaper with comparable activities and selectivities.

 

Research focus

• Synthesis and characterization of various supported nickel catalysts
• Influence of particle size and oxygen vacancies of the catalysts on the CO₂-Methanation
• Mechanistic studies