High-efficiency graphene-coated macroscopic composite for catalytic methane decomposition operated with induction heating

Abstract

The large-scale production of hydrogen and the direct sequestration of carbon, in solid form, from the decomposition of natural gas could constitute an attractive economic alternative for the production of hydrogen if deactivation by coke or sintering could be mitigated. Here, we report on the use of a 2D graphene-based catalyst with controlled macroscopic shape for the catalytic decomposition of methane (CMD) at medium temperature, ranged from 500 °C to 900 °C, under contactless inductive heating. The presence of a magnetic field seems to have a strong influence on the catalytic performance and allows the maintain of the catalyst stability. Characterizations of the spent catalyst showed that the carbon deposited under inductive heating is in the form of carbon filaments which grow away from the edges or defects of the graphene. This particular growth mode allows one to maintain the catalytic activity of such carbon-based catalyst over longer periods compared to those reported in the literature. These promising results could set a base ground for the develop an industrially and economically viable way to convert natural gas into turquoise hydrogen, using renewable energy and low-cost catalysts, with improved resistance to poisoning by impurities present in the processing charge. The carbon formed could also be effectively use in other downstream applications. The combination of carbon-based catalyst and contactless induction heating could also lead to combined catalytic processes for numerous challenging reactions.