Comparison of the surface and catalytic properties of rare earth‐promoted CaO catalysts in the oxidative coupling of methane

Rare earth (viz. La, Ce, Sm, Nd and Yb) promoted CaO catalysts have been investigated, comparing their surface properties (viz. surface area and basicity/base strength distribution) and catalytic activity/selectivity in the oxidative coupling of methane at different reaction conditions (temperatures, 650–800 °C, CH 4 /O 2 ratios, 2.0–8.0 and space velocity, 51 360 cm 3 g −1 h −1 ). The surface properties and catalytic activity/selectivity are strongly influenced by the rare earth promoter and its concentration. Apart from the Sm‐promoted CaO catalyst, both the total and strong basic sites (measured in terms of CO 2 chemisorbed at 50° and 500 °C respectively) are decreased due to the promotion of CaO by rare earth metals (viz. La, Ce, Nd and Yb). The catalytic activity/selectivity is strongly influenced by the temperature, particularly below ⩽700 °C, whereas at higher temperature no further effect is seen. The La 2 O 3 CaO, Nd 2 O 3 CaO and Yb 2 O 3 CaO catalysts showed high activity and selectivity, and also their results are comparable. Among the catalysts, Nd‐promoted CaO (with Nd/Ca = 0.05) showed the best performance (19.5% CH 4 conversion with 70.8% C 2+ selectivity) in the oxidative coupling of methane. A close relationship between the surface density of total and strong basic sites (measured in terms of CO 2 chemisorbed at 50° and 500 °C respectively) and the C 2+ selectivity and/or C 2+ yield has been observed. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry