In this work, Ho2O3 nanosheets were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. A series of Sr-modified Ho2O3 nanosheets (Sr-Ho2O3-NS) with a Sr/Ho molar ratio between 0.02 and 0.06 were prepared via an impregnation method. These catalysts were characterized by several techniques such as XRD, N2 adsorption, SEM, TEM, XPS, O2-TPD (temperature-programmed desorption), and CO2-TPD, and they were studied with respect to their performances in the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM). In contrast to Ho2O3 nanoparticles, Ho2O3 nanosheets display greater CH4 conversion and C2-C3 selectivity, which could be related to the preferentially exposed (222) facet on the surface of the latter catalyst. The incorporation of small amounts of Sr into Ho2O3 nanosheets leads to a higher ratio of (O− + O2−)/O2− as well as an enhanced amount of chemisorbed oxygen species and moderate basic sites, which in turn improves the OCM performance. The optimal catalytic behavior is achievable on the 0.04Sr-Ho2O3-NS catalyst with a Sr/Ho molar ratio of 0.04, which gives a 24.0% conversion of CH4 with 56.7% selectivity to C2-C3 at 650 °C. The C2-C3 yield is well correlated with the amount of moderate basic sites present on the catalysts.
Constructing catalyst knowledge networks from catalyst big data in oxidative coupling of methane for designing catalysts
