Catalytic Properties of Ni-Fe Systems in the Reaction of CO₂ Methanation at Atmospheric Pressure

Catalytic activity, phase composition, and morphology of binary Ni-Fe metallic systems in CO₂ hydrogenation were investigated. High methane yield was detected in the region of high Ni content, except the sample with 75% of Ni which has shown a sharp drop in activity. By means of scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction methods the differences in surface structuring of active (Ni₈₀Fe₂₀) and inactive (Ni₇₅Fe₂₅) catalysts were revealed. High methane yield for the former might be explained by defective porous superficial layer of catalyst grains, whereby for the latter the specific surface is diminished due to sintering.