Comparison study between Ni/TiO2 and Ni/flame synthesized TiO2 catalysts for hydrogen production using thermocatalytic decomposition of methane

Hydrogen is considered as a fuel of future due to its environmental cleanness. Thermo Catalytic Decomposition of Methane (TCD) is one of the most advanced process, which will meet the future demand and attractive route for COx free production of hydrogen. In this study, an attempt made using flame synthesized titanium nanorods as a catalyst support for nickel based catalyst to produce hydrogen. The comparison study between Ni/TiO2 and Ni/Flame synthesized TiO2 (Ni/F-TiO2) catalysts for hydrogen production using thermocatalytic decomposition of methane. The effect of nickel weight percentage (10%, 20%, 30% and 40 wt %) and reaction temperature (650, 700, 750 and 800 °C) with Ni/TiO2 and Ni/F-TiO2 catalysts were performed for hydrogen production studies at 54sccm flowrate of methane. The maximum hydrogen production was observed with 30 wt% of Ni/TiO2 and 30 wt% of Ni/F-TiO2 as 48 and 55 vol% at 700 °C in 60min of reaction time. Before and after the reaction, catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET surface area, SEM, TEM and AAS analysis. Apart from hydrogen production, carbon nanorods were observed with a diameter and length of 5-10 nm and 0.25 μm respectively for Ni/TiO2 and for Ni/F-TiO2 catalyst, it was found to be 50-100 nm and 0.5  μm respectively.