Hard X-ray-based techniques for structural investigations of CO methanation catalysts prepared by MOF decomposition.

Thermal decomposition of metal-organic framework (MOF) precursors is a recent method to create well-dispersed metal centers within active catalyst materials with enhanced stability, as required for dynamic operation conditions in light of challenges caused by the renewable energy supply. Here, we use a hard X-ray-based toolbox of pair distribution function (PDF) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis combined with X-ray diffraction and catalytic activity tests to investigate structure-activity correlations of methanation catalysts obtained by thermal decomposition of a Ni(BDC)(PNO) MOF precursor. Increasing the decomposition temperature from 350 to 500 °C resulted in Ni nanoparticles with increasing particle sizes, alongside a decrease in Ni species and strain-induced peak broadening.