CO₂-free hydrogen production by liquid-phase plasma cracking from benzene over perovskite catalysts

A method for producing hydrogen from liquid benzene without CO2 generation using plasma is proposed. A liquid plasma was emitted from the liquid reactant to crack liquid benzene to produce hydrogen. The only gaseous product was H-2 and no CO2 was formed. Carbon crystals were produced as a solid product. To increase the decomposition efficiency of liquid benzene and the efficiency of hydrogen production, perovskite was applied as a catalyst. The reaction produced nano-sized carbon particles with hydrogen as the main product without impurities. The crystal size of carbon black was very small (<10 nm) and uniform. The carbon products were similar in crystal shape and size regardless of the reaction time. Liquid benzene is decomposed by active species in the liquid plasma to produce hydrogen and carbon without catalyst injection. When the perovskite catalyst was applied to the reaction using liquid plasma, the hydrogen production rate and carbon yield were significantly increased. Liquid benzene simultaneously produces hydrogen and carbon black through a decomposition reaction by liquid plasma. The LPP cracking process of liquid benzene can be evaluated as a 'green hydrogen' production technology that does not generate CO2.