Catalytic performance of modified carbon black on methane decomposition for hydrogen production

Carbon-based catalysts catalyze methane decomposition to produce hydrogen is a very attractive technical route. Carbon black in carbon-based catalysts has the advantages of high catalytic activity, good stability and better tolerance to toxic impurities such as sulphur in the feedstock, which has become a hot topic of research for many scientists. In this work, the effect of heat treatment on the structural and surface properties of carbon blacks and their catalytic performance in hydrogen production from methane decomposition was investigated. A commercial carbon blacks N110 was selected to heat treatment with nitrogen or carbon dioxide atmosphere at 850 °C, respectively. The Raman spectrums indicated that the graphitization degree of modified carbon under two atmospheres were promoted with the treatment time increasing. BET results revealed that the specific surface area of the carbon black treated under carbon dioxide increased, while the specific surface area was unchanged for that of the carbon black treated under nitrogen. The catalytic test of the two modified carbon blacks for methane decomposition exhibited the almost same activity, which meant that the graphitization degree of carbon black is the key factor for methane decomposition rather than the specific surface area. It was suggested that highly graphitized carbon black could be used as the potential catalysts for hydrogen production from methane decomposition.