Hydrogen Production from Methane Conversion on Molybdenum Nitride

Abstract

The formation of hydrogen during methane conversion on supported Mo nitride catalysts was studied using a flow microreactor at 973 K and atmospheric pressure. The catalysts before and after the reaction were characterized by XRD, temperature-programmed reduction with H₂ (TPR), and temperature- programmed surface reaction with CH₄ (CH₄-TPSR). Based on the catalytic activity effect of the supports (Al₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, and ZSM-5), the ZSM-5 supported Mo nitride catalyst was the most active for hydrogen production. Mo nitride was partially transformed into Mo carbide at 973 K during the CH₄ decomposition. The addition of Co and Ni atoms to Mo/Al₂O₃ promoted the CH₄ decomposition activity due to the high hydrogen activation performance by the creation of Co(Ni-) added γ-Mo₂N or Co(Ni)–Mo nitride in nitridation and the formation of Co(Ni)-added η-Mo₃C₂ or Co(Ni)-Mo carbide on the surface during the reaction.