Nickel catalysts supported on γ-Al2 O3 were synthesized in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) using both alkaline polyol method and hydrazine reduction method while fixing the weight ratio of [(PVP)]/[Ni(CH3COO)2·4H2O] at 2. The effects of hydrazine [N2H5OH]/[Ni] and [NaOH]/[Ni] molar ratios on the structural properties of the catalysts were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The average of monodispersed Ni nanoparticles ranged between and nm. The catalytic tests were performed for the partial oxidation of methane in the temperature range of 600–800 °C under a flow rate of 157,500 L kg–1 hr–1 with CH4 /O2 = 2. |