Cobalt catalysts of methane decomposition: accumulation of the filamentouscarbon

Cobalt catalysts are tested in methane decomposition reaction at 475-600 de grees C and pressure similar to 1 bar to evaluate their catalytic propertie s in non-oxidative methane conversion via an accumulation of carbon. Cataly st preparation method, a nature of a support and temperature regimes are fo und to strongly influence this process. The best performances are found wit h the coprecipitated 60-75 wt% Co-alumina catalysts at 500 degrees C. XRD, EXAFS and TEM investigations indicate a close similarity between the Co and Ni catalysts previously studied. However, in contrast to nickel, the carbo n filaments with a hollow-like core morphology are produced on the Co catal ysts. Data further point that an accumulation of the filamentous carbon is a promising route to utilize methane as a main component of the natural gas . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.