 Catalyst development for the production of turquoise hydrogen and carbon nanomaterials by methane pyrolysis THESIS TOPIC PROPOSAL Institute: Budapest University of Technology and Economics chemistry George A. Olah Doctoral School of Chemistry and Chemical Technology Thesis supervisor: Anita Nagyné Horváth Location of studies (in Hungarian): HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences Abbreviation of location of studies: TTK Description of the research topic: A temporary solution for the transition from fossil to renewable energy is methane pyrolysis that produces very clean hydrogen and valuable carbon (for example nanotubes) – without the production of CO2 (CH4↔C+2H2). The temperature of the endothermic reaction can be lowered by appropriate metal catalysts and valuable, nanostructured carbon can be obtained as well. The highly active, but fast deactivating nickel when alloyed with other metals can exhibit synergetic effect in the reaction. In the present work, we aim to apply Mo, Cu and Fe in different amounts added to nickel using various preparation methods to get bimetallic nanoparticles with different size and composition dispersed on MgO or carbon supports. For structural characterizations TPR, XRD, (HR)TEM, STEM-EDS, XPS, DRIFTS, TGA and Raman spectroscopy will be applied in freshly reduced state or after the catalytic methane decomposition reaction. We wish to explore how the composition of alloyed metal particles determine the type and morphology of carbon product and the H2 yield. Further questions are the effect of H2 addition in catalyst prereduction or co-feeding with methane; the change in process parameters and the catalyst regeneration, separation possibilities. In addition, the novel “one sample concept” microcombinatorial TEM approach will be deployed, tested and validated for catalytic purpose during our studies. Number of students who can be accepted: 1 Deadline for application: 2024-05-30 |