Comparison of Rate Oscillations in Reactions of CO and Methane Oxidation on a Nickel Catalyst

Abstract

Self-oscillations of the rate of oxidation reactions of CO and CH₄ on nickel foil are compared. It has been shown that, despite significant differences in the stepwise mechanism of the two reactions, the properties of oscillation regimes are very close. In both reactions, oscillation regimes result from oxidation and reduction of nickel and are accompanied by wave processes on the catalyst surface. The similarity in the properties of rate oscillations in the reactions of CO and CH₄ oxidation shows that a change in the selectivity and the formation of carbon on the nickel surface are not key factors in the mechanism of the rate oscillations in CH₄ oxidation. An observed periodic change in the concentrations of reactants and reaction products when the reaction mixture is supplied in a pulse mode proves that, in both cases, the self-oscillations of the reaction rate are due only to the reaction mechanism and are not caused by a change in the catalyst temperature.