C2H4 synthesis through catalytic C2H2 hydrogenation in post-CH4 plasma streams: performance of noble and non-noble catalysts
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This work investigates the post-plasma catalytic hydrogenation of C 2 H 2 into C 2 H 4 from CH 4 , H 2 , and C 2 H 2 mixtures designed to emulate effluents from plasma reactors used for non-oxidative CH 4 coupling. Four noble and non-noble metal catalysts supported on γ-Al 2 O 3 were tested across a controlled temperature range, representative of plasma reactor outflows. Supported by a temperature-dependent surface micro-kinetic model, our study elucidates the interplay between plasma-derived gas compositions and catalyst surface chemistry, revealing how temperature influences the reaction mechanisms, selectivity and by-product formation in the post-plasma zone. The Pd catalyst exhibits the highest C 2 H 4 selectivity (up to 63%), while Pt favours over-hydrogenation to C 2 H 6 . Non-noble Cu and Ni catalysts show limited C 2 H 4 selectivity due to oligomerisation and coking, respectively. This work highlights clear differences in the performance of the four catalysts in selective post-plasma hydrogenation, offering insights into plasma-based valorisation of CH 4 towards C 2 H 4 .
