Thermocatalytic decomposition of methane to low-carbon hydrogen using LaNi_1-xCu_xO₃ perovskite catalysts

The thermocatalytic decomposition (TCD) of methane is an attractive alternative to produce low-carbon hydrogen and solid carbonaceous materials. In this study, substituted LaNi_1-xCu_xO₃ perovskite catalysts prepared via self-combustion method were investigated for methane TCD. The effect of Ni partial substitution with Cu, varying gas hourly space velocity, temperature and stability on methane conversions were evaluated. PXRD, H₂-TPR, SEM-EDS, TGA, and XPS were used to characterize the catalysts. An increase in Cu loading to 50%, increase in temperature and decrease in GHSV resulted in an improvement in methane conversions to 92%. At a GHSV of 2400 ml/g_cat.h, no significant deactivation was observed as the stability of the LaNi_0.5Cu_0.5O₃ catalyst increased from 6 to 20 hours’ TOS with methane conversions maintained at 92% where carbon nanofibers were observed on the surface of the spent catalysts. The study demonstrates the potential to prepare LaNi_1-xCu_xO₃ catalysts and identify optimal testing conditions for the novel production of low-carbon hydrogen with minimal catalyst deactivation.