Spark-ablated metal nanoparticle catalysts supported on TiO2 for CO2 methanation

We report the first synthesis of a powdery heterogeneous catalyst using spark ablation technology.1 A spark nanoparticle generator is modified to allow a direct deposition onto pulverulent materials. The concept relies on the aerosolization of a powder, which is gas-transported and injected in the path of metal nanoparticle formation. Herein, TiO2 powder is used as the catalyst support, while Ni or Ru electrodes are used to generate Ni or Ru nanoparticles as the active phase. The resulting Ni/TiO2 and Ru/TiO2 catalysts are readily active in the hydrogenation of CO2 to CH4.