Alumina-supported molybdenum carbide and its modifier with small amounts of nickel were evaluated and characterized. The evaluation results showed that a nickel-doped carbide catalyst exhibited a much higher conversion of methane and selectivity to CO and H2for the partial oxidation of methane (POM) to syngas. Also, the addition of a small amount of nickel resulted in significant improvement of catalysis stability. Characterization by temperature programmed surface reaction (TPSR) indicated that the addition of nickel promoted the carburization of molybdenum oxide. Especially under the conditions of the POM to syngas, this promotion resulted in more active phases being held. The nickel doped catalyst had small particles, larger specific area and greater ability to resist sintering. All these improved the catalytic stability. The other characterizations by XRD, XPS, SEM as well as BET surface area measurement also confirmed these promotions of nickel. In addition, the doped nickel made possible the increase of the intrinsic activity of catalytic centers over molybdenum carbide catalyst.
