Methane-induced Activation Mechanism of Fused Ferric Oxide-Alumina Catalysts during Methane Decomposition.

Activation of Fe2 O3 -Al2 O3 with CH4 (instead of H2 ) is a meaningful method to achieve catalytic methane decomposition (CMD). This reaction of CMD is more economic and simple against commercial methane steam reforming (MSR) as it produces COx -free H2 . In this study, for the first time, structure changes of the catalyst were screened during CH4 reduction with time on stream. The aim was to optimize the pretreatment conditions through understanding the activation mechanism. Based on results from various characterization techniques, reduction of Fe2 O3 by CH4 proceeds in three steps: Fe2 O3 →Fe3 O4 →FeO→Fe0. Once Fe0 is formed, it decomposes CH4 with formation of Fe3 C, which is the crucial initiation step in the CMD process to initiate formation of multiwall carbon nanotubes.

Catalytic Methane Decomposition over Fe-Al2 O3.

The presence of a Fe-FeAl2 O4 structure over an Fe-Al2 O3 catalysts is demonstrated to be vital for the catalytic methane decomposition (CMD) activity. After H2 reduction at 750 °C, Fe-Al2 O3 prepared by means of a fusion method, containing 86.5 wt % FeAl2 O4 and 13.5 wt % Fe(0) , showed a stable CMD activity at 750 °C for as long as 10 h.

Highly conductive Ni steam reforming catalysts prepared by electrodeposition.

New highly conductive, active and stable Ni steam reforming catalysts were prepared through a method consisting of the calcination of a hydrotalcite-like compound electrodeposited in a single step on FeCrAlloy foams.