Catalytic activity of Co/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for decomposition of ammonia to produce hydrogen

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) 2024-09, Vol.372, p.132230, Article 132230
• Main Authors: AlAmoudi, Omar M., Ullah Khan, Wasim, Hantoko, Dwi, Bakare, Idris A., Ali, Syed A., Hossain, Mohammad M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonia; Cobalt-based catalyst; Hydrogen production; NH3-TPD kinetics; γ-Al2O3
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2024.132230

[Display omitted] •High-performance Cobalt/meso-Al2O3 catalysts were synthesized.•H2-TPR revealed a sequential reduction mechanism for Co species.•NH3-TPD kinetics analysis indicated weak metal–support interaction.•Co loading enhanced NH3 adsorption at lower temperatures. This paper aims to study the performance of Co/meso-Al2O3 catalysts for ammonia decomposition to produce hydrogen. High-performance Co/meso-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared using a sequential metal loading approach. The synthesized catalysts were analyzed by several techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption analysis, temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The effect of metal loading, decomposition temperature and weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) on the catalyst activity were studied. Temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD) analysis showed the coexistence of weak acidic sites and strong acidic sites in the synthesized catalysts, indicative of weak metal–support interaction. The reaction activation energy of the catalysts followed the order of 26Co-CAT(A)