Catalytic Properties of Thin Ni3Al Nano and Microcrystalline Foils in Methanol Decomposition

DOI: 10.5176/2251-1857_M369

Authors: Pawel Jozwik, Zbigniew Bojar and Ryszard Grabowski

Abstract:

Intermetallic Ni3Al–based alloys (doped with zirconium and boron) are a group of advanced materials with potential outstanding physical and chemical properties (such as high catalytic activity and structural stability in corrosive environment) which make them a considerable candidate for many high-tech applications.

In this paper a catalytic activity of fully dense Ni3Al-based thin foils (thickness down to 50m) possessing structure with micrometric or nanometric grains size. with nano- or microstructure were discussed. The examined material without any additional catalytic coating, was successfully produced from as cast coarse-grained sheet by heavy cold rolling and recrystalization at appropriate chosen set of parameters.

The examination has concerned to methanol and mixture methanol and water decomposition into H2 and CO in a temperature range up to 530OC in a quartz reactor. Excepts these products a little amount (below 1{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465}) CO2 and dimethyl ether was observed. The catalyzed reaction has started effectively at about 400OC, with methanol conversion about 90{6e6090cdd558c53a8bc18225ef4499fead9160abd3419ad4f137e902b483c465} or higher.

Additionally, the investigated foils were examined by SEM observation, X-ray diffraction and surface area measurement (BET).

Keywords:

intermetallic alloys, thin foils, methanol decomposition, hydrogen production, carbon nanofibres