Thermo-catalytic decomposition (TCD) is well-suited for the generation of hydrogen from natural gas. In this decarbonization process for natural gas—pre-combustion—solid carbon is produced pre-combustion, with potential commercial uses including energy storage. TCD provides a pathway to the hydrogen economy and creates a bridge from fossil fuel to renewable hydrogen energy systems. In this study TCD measurements were performed using a hot wall reactor using flat quartz substrates as deposition substrates. Methane diluted in an argon carrier served as the initial feed. A test matrix encompassing a series of temperatures (900 – 1,100 ) and durations (1 – 12 hrs.) was documented, and deposition rates were measured periodically for determination of deposition rate by deposit thickness, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanostructure of the deposit was evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with fringe analysis and Raman spectroscopy. At selected stages during TCD, samples were subjected to activated chemisorption in preparation of active site measurement. Active sites were quantified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Thermo-catalytic decomposition of methane: Connecting deposition rates, nanostructure, and active sites

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