Preparation of bulk and supported Co/Mo carbide catalysts for CO2 conversion

This thesis investigates the preparation and characterisation of Co/Mo bimetallic carbides and their stability and catalytic activity as bulk catalysts for the Dry Methane Reforming (DMR) reaction and as supported catalysts on alumina. The DMR reaction was chosen due to its importance in producing syngas, as a precursor for liquid fuels, from CO₂ and CH₄, two greenhouse gases. Bulk and supported bimetallic carbides were prepared by reductive carburization of the oxides with various hydrocarbons. The resultant carbides were characterized by X-Ray diffraction. Reactivity studies were undertaken by investigating the variable temperature reactivity of the catalysts on the DMR reaction. Characterization studies indicate that the oxides were transformed to the carbides successfully and these carbides had significant catalytic activity and were stable under the conditions used in the investigations.