Synthesis of Ni–Cu/Al2O3 Methane Decomposition Catalysts by Combustion Using Fuel Additives

The Ni–Cu/Al2O3 catalysts used for the synthesis of carbon nanofibers and hydrogen were prepared by solution combustion synthesis using sucrose, urea, and oxalic acid as fuel. The resulting catalyst was a powder with a specific surface area of 60–128 m2/g. Catalyst samples were tested in a flow reactor at a temperature of 550°C in a methane medium at a pressure of 1 and 5 atm. The influence of organic fuel content on the composition and textural characteristics of resulting catalysts and their efficiency in the synthesis of carbon nanofibers and hydrogen was studied. The methane conversion was revealed to change within 5–17.5% and grow when the pressure was increased from 1 to 5 atm.