Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2026

Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Carbon Nanotube with Doped Co and N Atoms and its Catalytic Applications in Hydrogen Production
Published on: December 6, 2021
Iron-Based Catalysts on Tailored Alumina Supports for COx-Free Methane Decomposition to H2 and Carbon
Hajer S Alturki1, Seham S Alterary1, Abdulaziz A M Abahussain2
1Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Methane decomposition is a COx-free process for hydrogen generation that also produces valuable carbon nanostructures. The work herein focused on Fe-based catalysts supported on some common supports (Al2O3, ZrO2, SiO2) and on alumina modified by metal oxides (10SiAl, 10ZrAl, 10YAl, 10CeAl). The prepared catalysts were characterized in detail by XRD, BET, TEM, TPR, TGA, and Raman spectroscopy. Among the single-component supports, the 20Fe/Al2O3 (Fe-Al) catalyst exhibited the highest initial activity, with 69.4% CH4 conversion. Among all the catalysts studied, Fe-10ZrAl showed the best catalytic activity with a maximum CH4 conversion (76.5%) and H2 yield (74.1%). Furthermore, during regeneration cycles, the catalyst maintained CH4 conversion (90%) without detrimental carbon encapsulation. The performance of Fe-10ZrAl is attributed to the synergistic effect of the ZrO2 modifier which improves strong metal-support interactions, stabilizes active iron nanoparticles from thermal sintering, and allows a highly reversible in-situ carbide cycle. The Fe-10ZrAl catalyst is the most active, followed by the Fe-10YAl catalyst, owing to its improved reducibility. Our work demonstrates the key role of modified alumina structures for sustainable co-production of hydrogen and nanomaterials.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Heterogeneous Catalysis
Catalysis
Catalysis
Reduction of Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Metals like palladium, platinum, and nickel are commonly used in their solid forms — fine powder on an inert surface. As these catalysts remain insoluble in the reaction mixture, they are referred to as heterogeneous catalysts.
The hydrogenation process takes place on the surface of...
Reduction of Alkynes to cis-Alkenes: Catalytic Hydrogenation
Like alkenes, alkynes can be reduced to alkanes in the presence of transition metal catalysts such as Pt, Pd, or Ni. The reaction involves two sequential syn additions of hydrogen via a cis-alkene intermediate.
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...

