Harnessing KCC-1 Unique Structure for Efficient Low Temperature CO₂ Methanation Reaction with Iron Loading

The rapid increase of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere has become a concern in our world today. The application of CO₂ methanation offers potential to mitigate CO₂ emissions while significantly enhancing the production value of synthetic natural gas. In this study, fibrous silica, KCC-1, was successfully synthesized, which will henceforth be referred to as K-1, using the micro-emulsion method. The synthesized K-1 was investigated as a support for 5 wt % iron (Fe) content, prepared via the impregnation method, designated as FK-1. These catalysts were characterized via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using potassium bromide (FTIR-KBr), and N2 adsorption-desorption. The catalytic performance evaluation demonstrated that FK-1 achieved a CO₂ conversion of 74% at 400 °C, higher than K-1 (65%), attributed to the well-distributed Fe onto K-1, as indicated by FESEM and XRD, which provide more active sites for CO₂ and H2 adsorption. In addition, FTIR-KBr analysis indicated the formation of Si-O-Fe bonds, which likely enhanced reactant adsorption and contributed to FK-1's superior catalytic performance. These findings highlight the potential of K-1 as an efficient support for Fe metal, capable of improving low-temperature catalytic activity through enhanced metal-support interactions.