Bimetallic NiCo nanoparticles confined in metal-organic frameworks: Co accelerates reduction and enhances low-temperature CO₂ methanation
(2027) Applied Catalysis B: Environmental — Vol. 401, p. 127345 (2027)
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- Authors
Beauvois, Anthony 
- Abstract
- Achieving CO₂ methanation via the Sabatier reaction represents a viable route for renewable energy storage and CO₂ valorization. While Ni-based catalysts are considered as the most cost-effective and efficient catalysts, they still require elevated activation temperatures and remain prone to sintering. Adding promoters or dopants to form bimetallic catalysts are possible strategies to counter these limitations. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer a structurally well-defined platform to confine and stabilize metal nanoparticles (NPs). However, bimetallic MOF-supported systems have not yet been reported for this reaction. Here, we present NiCo@MOF-545 as the first bimetallic NP@MOF catalyst for CO₂ methanation. The intimate NiCo alloying within the porous host is established by transmission electron microscopy coupled with ultramicrotomy and energy-dispersive X-ray mapping. Time-resolved in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals that cobalt incorporation into the Ni-based catalyst lowers the characteristic temperature of Ni²⁺→Ni⁰ reduction by 35°C relative to the cobalt-free counterpart. Under continuous-flow conditions, the bimetallic NiCo@MOF catalyst exhibits superior CO₂ conversion with 100% CH₄ selectivity across the 200–300°C range, with a reduced apparent activation energy (59.7 vs. 67.1 kJ·mol⁻¹). Operando XAS monitoring confirms the structural stability of the catalyst under reaction conditions, with no detectable change in oxidation state or local coordination environment. This work demonstrates that bimetallic NP@MOF design is an effective strategy for low-temperature CO₂ methanation.
- Affiliations
Citations
Chen, H., Hongmanorom, P., Zoubritzky, L., Beauvois, A., Delafoulhouze, J., Thiet Vu, T., Ben Romdhane, F., Miche, A., Tran, N.-H., Mialane, P., Devred, F., Debecker, D., Dolbecq, A., & Mellot-Draznieks, C. (2027). Bimetallic NiCo nanoparticles confined in metal-organic frameworks: Co accelerates reduction and enhances low-temperature CO₂ methanation. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 401, 127345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2026.127345 (Original work published 2027)