Decomposition of methane over unsupported porous nickel and alloy catalyst

► Unsupported NiO and NiO-CuO particles prepared from oxalate were used as catalyst precursors. ► Porous metallic Ni and Ni-Cu alloy are effective catalysts for methane decomposition. ► Nickel-copper alloy particles showed steady catalytic activities at high temperatures. ► Carbon nano-fibres act as living supports and prevent catalyst particles from sintering. ► Ni-Cu catalyst produced the highest methane conversion of 85% at 750 °C.