Efficient production of hydrogen and multi-walled carbon nanotubes from ethanol over Fe/Al2O3 catalysts

Fe/Al2O3 catalysts with different Fe loadings (10-90 mol%) were prepared by hydrothermal method. Ethanol decomposition was studied over these Fe/Al2O3 catalysts at temperatures between 500 and 800 °C to produce hydrogen and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at the same time. The results showed that the catalytic activity and stability of Fe/Al2O3 depended strongly on the Fe loading and reaction temperature. The Fe(30 mol%)/Al2O3 and Fe(40 mol%)/Al2O3 were both the effective catalyst for ethanol decomposition into hydrogen and MWCNTs at 600 °C. Several reaction pathways were proposed to explain ethanol decomposition to produce hydrogen and carbon (including nanotube) at the same time.