Catalysis of methane decomposition over elemental carbon

Abstract

Catalytic decomposition of methane is an attractive method for CO/CO 2-free production of hydrogen, particularly, for fuel cell applications. Over 30 different samples of elemental carbon, including a variety of activated carbons (ACs), carbon blacks (CBs), nanostructured carbons (including, carbon nanotubes and fullerenes C 60/70), graphites, glassy carbon and synthetic diamond powders, were screened for the catalytic activity in methane decomposition reaction. It was found that the catalytic activity of carbons is mostly determined by their origin, structure and surface area.