Effect of composition in coal liquefaction residue on catalytic activity of the resultant carbon for methane decomposition

► Mesoporous carbons were prepared from coal liquefaction residue (CLR) by KOH activation. ► The carbons show high and stable activity for catalytic methane decomposition (CMD). ► The compositions in CLR affect greatly the texture and catalytic activities of carbons. ► The organic matter in CLR alone is conducive to developing a microporous structure. ► The mineral acts as template for mesoporous structure in the KOH activation of the CLR.