One of the challenging aspects of implementing hydrogen is the cost and availability of hydrogen, e.g. green hydrogen is costly and inaccessible, whereas conventional grey hydrogen is associated with substantial CO2 emissions. An intermediate solution could be turquoise hydrogen, which promises substantially lower direct cost and CO2-imposed social cost. This work investigates nickel nanoclusters on iron co-catalyst system, supported by gamma alumina, for the catalytic degradation of methane. A novel synthesis approach is tested to examine the influence of Fe amount on reaction yields and outcomes. Varying amounts of Fe with and without Ni were tested at 700, 800, and 900 °C in a batch-type reaction. Analysis of catalysts and outcomes was carried out; it was found that the use of co-catalysts on commercial gamma alumina pyrolysis yields hydrogen at 82% at lower reaction temperatures of 700 °C and 80% at 900°C. Addition of Ni nanoclusters provide higher results than those of a single Fe catalyst. The synergistic effect of Ni-Fe catalysts exhibits improved efficiency, yielding a range of valuable nanofibrous carbon tested as pesticide sensors showing promise in extending life cycle of catalyst materials.
Knoks et al. (Mon,) studied this question.