In this study, Barium Germanium glasses were prepared with a composition of xBaO-(72-x)GeO2-8La2O3-20ZnO where x = 16.0, 18.0, 20.0, 22.0 and 24.0 mol% respectively. Their physical and optical properties, such as refractiveness index, glass transition temperature (Tg), softening temperature (Ts), transmittance and Knoop hardness were studied. The results showed that refractive index, Tg, Ts and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) increased with increasing BaO concentration. The refractive index of all the prepared samples was observed between 1.7811 to 1.7881. The Abbe number was calculated by formula using nd (589.3 nm), nf (656.3 nm) and nc (486.1 nm) and observed to be between 38 to 40. The Abbe number of the prepared sample was similar to that of BaO and GeO2. The transmittance of the prepared glasses was observed to be between 80 ~ 82 % throughout the range from 200 nm to 800 nm. Knoop hardness divided into seven steps were measured 5 class (≥ 450 ~ < 550) of all prepared samples.
The effects of La addition to Ni/CeO2 methane partial oxidation catalysts were investigated. Catalysts were prepared by the impregnation and urea methods. In the preparation of catalysts, La content was changed from 1 wt% to 3wt%. Catalysts that contain 2wt% La showed the highest methane conversion of about 80% and CO selectivity of 84% and H2 selectivity of 70%. This result may be stemmed from that, when La content is 2wt%, a fluorite oxide-type structure is well formed and carbon deposition is also decreased. Among the catalysts, 2.5wt% Ni/Ce(La)Ox showed the highest catalytic activity. From the experiment of changing reaction temperature with 2.5wt% Ni/Ce(La)Ox catalyst, it was found that the optimum reaction temperature is 750℃ and at this temperature methane conversion was about 90%, CO and H2 selectivities were 94 and 80%, respectively.