Nickel Nanoparticles Anchored on Bentonite Clay for Methane Decomposition with Ordered Carbon as a Product

Catalysts were synthesized with Ni and bentonite clay, without previous treatment, through wet impregnation with 5, 10 and 20% of Ni (m/m). They were characterized by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), adsorption and desorption of N2 at 77 K, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalytic activity in relation to the methane conversion reaction was evaluated at 500 °C for 0.5 h. The addition of 10 and 20% of nickel to the clay led to a disordered bentonite structure, characterized by the disappearance of the 001 reflection on the X-ray diffractograms, with a consequent increase in the interaction between nickel oxide and clay (TPR). All catalysts synthesized showed catalytic activity in relation to the conversion of methane to form ordered carbon. The catalyst with 20% of nickel had the highest activity, with 74% of methane conversion.