Handy synthesis of robust Ni/carbon catalysts for methane decomposition by selective gasification of pine sawdust

Abstract

Hydrogen is a clean fuel and potential alternative for fossil fuels, and many efforts have been devoted to low-carbon hydrogen production. Highly dispersed and robust Ni/carbon catalysts can be handily prepared in situ for catalytic methane decomposition (CMD) by selective steam gasification of pine sawdust. Effect of the gasification conditions (temperature, mass ratio of PS:Ni, steam flow rate and gasification reaction time) was investigated on the nickel species, activity and stability of the Ni/carbon catalyst in CMD. Besides hydrogen-rich gas released from the gasification process, co-production of hydrogen and carbon fibers can be obtained on the optimized catalyst with high and stable methane conversion (up to higher than 90% at 850 °C) in the 600-min CMD reaction. The implementation of such selective biomass gasification and CMD could be one promising approach towards process intensification for highly cost-effective hydrogen production, and enables it possible to yield a high metal efficiency as well.