Facile Synthesis of Ruthenium Decorated Zr0.5Ce0.5O2 Nanorods for Catalytic Partial Oxidation of Methane

Nanosized Ru (1 wt %) supported over CeO2–ZrO2 solid solution nanorods have been prepared via a one step hydrothermal approach and verified its activity in partial oxidation of methane at 800 °C with CH4: O2 = 2:1 for 200 h in a downflow, fixed-bed, microreactor. The so prepared catalysts have been characterized with a variety of analytical tools. Characterization results confirm higher dispersion of nanosized Ru over CeO2–ZrO2 solid solution possess strong metal support interaction and higher oxygen storage capacity of the CeO2–ZrO2 solid solution in comparison to only ceria or zirconia. We do not observe any deactivation during 200 h TOS study with 1% Ru supported over CeO2–ZrO2 solid solution, whereas there is a significant activity loss due to coke deposition; metal oxidation it observed only with ceria- or zirconia-supported catalysts