Implication of iron nitride species to enhance the catalytic activity and stability of carbon nanotubes supported Fe catalysts for carbon-free hydrogen production via low-temperature ammonia decomposition. Issue 3 (18th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Hui; Gong, Qinmei; Ren, Shan; Arshid, Mahmood Ali; Chu, Wei; Chen, Chen
• Is Part Of: Catalysis science & technology. Volume 8:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 907
• Page End: 915
• Publication Date: 2018-01-18
• Subjects: Catalysis -- Periodicals; 541.395
• DOI: 10.1039/c7cy02270k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-4753

Abstract

Abstract : This study prepared the Fe2 N/CNTs catalysts by using wet-impregnation and followed by nitrogenization, for carbon-free hydrogen production from NH3 decomposition. Abstract : This study was aimed to boost the catalytic ability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) supported Fe-based catalysts, prepared by using wet-impregnation and followed by nitrogenization, for carbon-free hydrogen production from NH3 decomposition at a low temperature. The nitrogenization temperature and iron loading had significant effects on the size of the well-dispersed Fe2 N crystallites. The Fe3 O4 /CNTs catalysts at a higher nitrogenation temperature under NH3 flow with a suitable Fe content led to the formation of the stable and uniformly distributed Fe2 N species, which played an active role in the enhanced catalytic ability of the Fe3 O4 /CNTs catalysts. However, the nitrogenization of the Fe3 O4 /CNTs catalyst under either H2 or Ar led to the formation of the Fe4 N and Fe2 N species. In the presence of the Fe4 N phases, the Fe3 O4 /CNTs catalyst exhibited an enhanced catalytic activity. In brief, the collaborative interaction of the active site Fe2 N and carbon nanotubes in the Fe2 N/CNTs catalysts resulted in a significant increase in the catalytic activity and durability up to 40 h. The effective control of the density of the active sites Fe2 N and the synergism between the carrier and the crystallite composition of iron nitrides are the key aspects for the efficient design of the transition nitride catalysts for carbon-free hydrogen production via ammonia decomposition.