Catalytic decomposition of methane over activated carbon

Methane decomposition over activated carbons was carried out in a fixed bed, quartz-tube flow reactor. The kinetics of methane decomposition and surface properties changes before and after reaction was investigated. As a non-carbon based material, active alumina was also used to compare and understand the catalytic decomposition mechanism of methane over different materials. A reaction order of 0.5 is obtained for methane decomposition over ACs and activation energies in the range from 117 to 185 kJ mol−1. The pore size change in the course of methane decomposition over activated carbons indicates that the catalytic reaction occurs mainly in the micropores. Activated alumina has different pore properties and carbon deposition in mesopores of the alumina is responsible for the catalytic activity.