Catalytic decomposition of methane over Fe2O3-Al2O3 catalysts with high iron contents and at high CH4 space velocities
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Catalysts Fe 2 O 3 -Al 2 O 3 with high Fe 2 O 3 contents (50-90wt%) were prepared by co-precipitation method and tested for methane decomposition and production of high-purity carbon nanofibers (CNFs). Catalytic tests were conducted in a fixed-bed reactor at atmospheric pressure, different temperatures and high CH 4 space velocities. The catalytic tests performed at 700 °C showed that Fe 2 O 3 -Al 2 O 3 catalysts containing 60-80wt% Fe 2 O 3 enable a maximal CH 4 conversion of around 56% and production of CNFs with a purity above 95%. Further, the catalytic results recorded over 80% Fe 2 O 3 -Al 2 O 3 catalyst at varied temperatures and space velocities revealed the following: (1) increasing temperature leads to an increased maximum CH 4 conversion but a reduced CNFs productivity per unit weight of catalyst, and (2) CNFs productivity can be maximized at each temperature by lowering CH 4 space velocity to an appropriate rate through reducing CH 4 feed rate or increasing the amount of catalyst fed in the reactor. Moreover, typical SEM, Raman and TEM characterization results confirmed that the CNFs obtained are of a relatively narrow diameter distribution of 20-40 nm and graphitic nanostructure in appearance. Furthermore, electroconductivity measurement of typical CNFs products confirmed their good electrical conductivity, suggesting their potential direct use for formulation of anti-static CNFs reinforced plastic composites.
Authors: Shuang Li, Junyi Liao, Zhanguo Zhang, Guangwen Xu
Institution: Shenyang University of Chemical Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Catalysis
Field: Chemical Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Award: G2750036270
OpenAlex ID: W4412464857