Catalytic molten metals for the direct conversion of methane to hydrogen and separable carbon

Metals that are active catalysts for methane (Ni, Pt, Pd), when dissolved in inactive low–melting temperature metals (In, Ga, Sn, Pb), produce stable molten metal alloy catalysts for pyrolysis of methane into hydrogen and carbon. All solid catalysts previously used for this reaction have been deacti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2017-11, Vol.358 (6365), p.917-921
Main Authors: Upham, D. Chester, Agarwal, Vishal, Khechfe, Alexander, Snodgrass, Zachary R., Gordon, Michael J., Metiu, Horia, McFarland, Eric W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alloy systems
Alloys
Ammonia
Bismuth base alloys
Byproducts
Carbon
Carbon dioxide
Catalysts
Catalytic activity
Catalytic converters
Composite materials
Deactivation
Direct conversion
Floats
Gallium
Greenhouse effect
Greenhouse gases
Heavy metals
Hydrogen
Lead
Liquid metals
Metals
Methane
Nickel
Nickel base alloys
Palladium
Platinum
Pyrolysis
Reforming
Steam
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Summary:Metals that are active catalysts for methane (Ni, Pt, Pd), when dissolved in inactive low–melting temperature metals (In, Ga, Sn, Pb), produce stable molten metal alloy catalysts for pyrolysis of methane into hydrogen and carbon. All solid catalysts previously used for this reaction have been deactivated by carbon deposition. In the molten alloy system, the insoluble carbon floats to the surface where it can be skimmed off. A 27% Ni–73% Bi alloy achieved 95% methane conversion at 1065°C in a 1.1-meter bubble column and produced pure hydrogen without CO₂ or other by-products. Calculations show that the active metals in the molten alloys are atomically dispersed and negatively charged. There is a correlation between the amount of charge on the atoms and their catalytic activity.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.aao5023