MgAl2O4 spinel particles prepared by metal–chitosan complexation route and used as catalyst support for direct decomposition of methane

Magnesium aluminate particles were prepared from biopolymer (chitosan) and Al–Mg solutions by the metal–chitosan complexation method. The MgAl2O4 spinel obtained was used to prepare a Ni catalyst support. The Ni/MgAl2O4 (20% Ni, w/w) was evaluated as a catalyst in the methane decomposition reaction. The influence of the reaction temperature and the catalyst reduction temperature and time on the methane decomposition, as well as on the properties of the carbon produced, was investigated. The materials were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM, TPR, TGA and Raman spectroscopy analyses. It was observed that the catalytic behavior was dependent on the reaction operating conditions employed. Under the operating conditions used in this study the carbon byproduct is mainly deposited as multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs).

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► MgAl2O4 spinel prepared by metal–chitosan complexation route was used as catalyst support.
► The Ni/MgAl2O4 was evaluated as a catalyst in the methane decomposition reaction.
► In the methane decomposition, carbon byproduct was mainly deposited as multi-walled nanotubes.