Production of hydrogen and carbon nanofibers through the decomposition of methane over activated carbon supported Ni catalysts

Hydrogen has been produced by decomposing methane thermocatalytically at 1123 K and volume hourly space velocity (VHSV) of 1.62 L/h g in the presence of activated carbon supported Ni catalysts of different compositions (Samples coded as Ni10, Ni20, Ni30 and Ni40 respectively). The studies indicated that the sample coded Ni30 catalyst (with Ni content of 23.33 wt.%) has the highest catalytic activity among all the catalysts tested. The initial methane decomposition rate, accumulated carbon in 4 h and sustainability factor (SF) of Ni30 catalyst are 0.89 mmol/min.g, 7.92 g C/g Ni and 0.7 respectively. SEM image of Ni30 catalyst after methane decomposition reaction showed formation of degenerated carbon fibers. XRD of the above catalyst revealed, moderately crystalline peaks of Ni which may be responsible for the increase in the catalytic life and the formation of carbon fibers.