Ni doped carbons for hydrogen production by catalytic methane decomposition

Ni doped carbons were prepared from raw coal and direct coal liquefaction residue (CLR) by KOH activation with addition of Ni(NO3)2, and used for catalytic methane decomposition (CMD) to produce hydrogen. The catalytic activity of the Ni doped carbon for CMD was compared with those of metal catalysts (Ni/SiO2 and Ni/Al2O3), coal- and CLR-based carbons, and Ni-carbon catalysts prepared by traditional impregnation and precipitation methods. The results show that the Ni doped carbon has higher and more stable activity than the metal and carbon catalysts at 850 °C. The preparation method for Ni doped carbons can make full use of the reducibility of the carbon composition and simplify the traditional synthesis process. The Ni content and the morphology of carbon deposits produced during CMD have a great effect on the catalytic activity of the Ni doped carbon.

► Ni doped carbons were directly prepared by KOH activation with addition of Ni(NO3)2.
► NiO species can be directly reduced by the carbon during the carbonization process.
► Ni doped carbons were used for hydrogen production by methane decomposition.
►  Ni doped carbons show higher activities than related carbon and metal catalysts.
► The morphology of the carbon deposit has great effect on the catalytic activity.