Catalytic cracking of methane to H2 and carbon over hydrotalcite-derived sintering-resistant NiVAl catalysts

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2024-12, Vol.93, p.43-52
• Main Authors: Cao, Mengjie, Li, Shuangde, Wang, Shikun, Xu, Weichen, Zhou, Xin, Ma, Guangxin, Nie, Linfeng, Chen, Yunfa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon nanomaterials; Hydrogen; Methane cracking; NiVAl catalyst
• ISSN: 0360-3199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.409

Catalytic methane cracking produces pure H2 and high value-added carbon, a potentially environmentally friendly process for hydrogen production, but challenges remain in the designing of high-performance catalysts. NiVAl catalysts were obtained by reducing the hydrotalcite precursor, and the samples were analyzed by XRD, ICP, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, XPS, and the impacts of reaction temperature and V/Ni ratio on the production of H2 by cracking methane were studied. The results showed that the V doping could promote the reduction of Ni species, improve the specific surface area of the catalyst and inhibit the sintering of Ni particles. The methane cracking hydrogen yield curve illustrates that the performance of NiVAl catalyst shows a volcanic relationship with the V/Ni ratio. The Ni2.4V0.6Al catalyst exhibits optimal performance, with a stable hydrogen yield of about 80% for 210 min at 700 °C. In addition, the reaction temperature also significantly affects the catalyst performance, with high temperatures favoring increased catalytic activity and low temperatures tending to improve stability. The Ni2.4V0.6Al catalyst was reacted at 600 °C for 300 min with 68% hydrogen yield without deactivation. •NiVAl catalyst for the cracking of methane to H2 by reduction of hydrotalcite precursors.•The effects of V/Ni molar ratios and reaction temperature on the H2 yield were investigated.•The Ni2.4V0.6Al catalyst was stabilized for 210 min at near 80% H2 yield at 700 °C.•NiVAl catalyst exhibits good resistance to sintering under the reaction condition.