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Potassium-Modulated Ni Catalysts for Enhanced Hydrogen Production from Textile Waste via Microwave Pyrolysis
Xiange Wu1, Yuxing Huang1, Bo Zhang1
1College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Zhaoqing University, Zhaoqing 526061, China.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Converting textile waste into hydrogen fuel is possible. Adding nickel and potassium catalysts during microwave pyrolysis significantly boosts hydrogen production, offering a sustainable energy solution.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Waste textiles represent a significant environmental challenge, contributing to landfill burden and resource depletion.
- Valorization of waste materials, such as textiles, into valuable products like hydrogen is crucial for sustainable waste management and energy recovery.
- Catalytic pyrolysis offers a promising pathway for converting complex waste streams into useful chemical products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of nickel (Ni) and potassium (K) catalysts in microwave-assisted pyrolysis of textile waste for enhanced hydrogen production.
- To optimize the co-loading of Ni and K for maximizing gas and hydrogen yields.
- To elucidate the catalytic mechanisms responsible for improved hydrogen generation.
Main Methods:
- Textile waste was treated using an impregnation method to introduce nickel and potassium.
- Microwave-assisted catalytic pyrolysis was employed to convert the treated textile waste.
- Gas and hydrogen yields were quantified.
- Structural and chemical characterization was performed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) mapping, and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).
Main Results:
- Co-loading 1 wt.% Ni and 0.4 wt.% K significantly enhanced total gas yield to 67.47% and hydrogen yield to 52.57 mmol/g.
- Hydrogen production was markedly improved compared to untreated textiles, physical mixing, and conventional pyrolysis.
- Structural analysis confirmed that K addition effectively suppressed Ni species agglomeration, leading to enhanced Ni dispersion.
- FTIR analysis indicated a synergistic catalytic effect between K and Ni, promoting the decomposition of macromolecular components.
Conclusions:
- The synergistic catalytic effect of co-loaded Ni and K significantly improves hydrogen production from textile waste via microwave-assisted pyrolysis.
- Optimized catalyst dispersion and enhanced decomposition reactions are key factors for efficient hydrogen generation.
- This study provides valuable insights for designing efficient alkali-promoted Ni catalysts for sustainable hydrogen production from waste textiles.
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