Production of carbon nanotubes and hydrogen by catalytic ethanol decomposition

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This work reports the synthesis of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by the catalytic decomposition of ethanol using the perovskite-type oxide LaNiO3 as catalyst precursor. The carbon nanotubes were characterized by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM micrographs show that the carbon nanotubes were multi-walled with inner diameters ranging frABSTRACT: This work reports the synthesis of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by the catalytic decomposition of ethanol using the perovskite-type oxide LaNiO3 as catalyst precursor. The carbon nanotubes were characterized by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TEM micrographs show that the carbon nanotubes were multi-walled with inner diameters ranging from 3 nm to 12 nm and outer diameters up to 42 nm. The yield of CNT and H2 were 3.5 gCNT·(gcat·h)-1 and 39 LH2·(g·h)-1 respectively at 700 °C. TGA data show that nanotube carbon purity was about 95 % by weight and the oxidation temperature was around 620 °C. om 3 nm to 12 nm and outer diameters up to 42 nm. The yield of CNT and H2 were 3.5 gCNT·(gcat·h)-1 and 39 LH2·(g·h)-1 respectively at 700 °C. TGA data show that nanotube carbon purity was about 95 % by weight and the oxidation temperature was around 620 °C.

RESUMEN: En este trabajo se sintetizaron nanotubos de carbono multicapa (MWCNTs) por medio de la reacción de descomposición de etanol usando como precursor del catalizador a la perovskita LaNiO3. Los nanotubos de carbono de pared múltiple (MWCNTs) fueron caracterizados por microscopía electrónica de transmisión (TEM) y de barrido (SEM) y análisis termogravimétrico (TGA). Mediante SEM se observó que los MWCNTs poseen diámetros internos entre 3 nm y 12 nm con diámetros externos de hasta 42 nm, igualmente se observaron algunas partículas metálicas encapsuladas dentro de los nanotubos. La producción de CNT e H2 fue de 3,5 gCNT·(gcat·h)-1 y 39 LH2·(g·h)-1 respectivamente a 700 °C. Por TGA se encontró que la pureza de los nanotubos es alrededor del 95 % en peso y su temperatura de oxidación alrededor de 620 °C.