Generation of Pure H2 through CH4 Cracking Over Ni Supported on ZrO2 Modified Al2O3 Catalyst

Clean hydrogen formation via CH4 cracking on a zirconia-modified alumina support at 550 ºC and atmospheric pressure with constant Ni loading. The increased H2 yields on 20Ni/3 wt.% ZrO2-Al2O3 are explained by the large Ni surface area. TEM and XRD confirmed the deactivated catalyst’s graphitic origin, while Raman spectroscopy helped distinguish between ordered and disordered carbon. As determined by H2 pulse chemisorption, the high H2 yields produced by 20wt%Ni/3 wt.%ZrO2-Al2O3 catalyst is typified by well- ispersed Ni particles and large Ni metal area.