Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Xingbo Liu

Committee Co-Chair

Wenyuan Li

Committee Member

Wenyuan Li

Committee Member

John Hu

Abstract

The novel method of using a perovskite exsolution catalyst, strontium titanium nickel oxide (STNO), proved capable of simultaneously producing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and COx-free hydrogen during methane decomposition under microwave irradiation. An optimization of common perovskite materials was conducted for microwave-responsiveness with the results reported in this study. Out of the materials screened, strontium titanium nickel oxide (STNO) was the best candidate to achieve an acceptable methane conversion rate as well as a decent responsiveness to microwave. STNO was further optimized through Ni content, reduction dwell time, and reduction temperature to produce the best methane conversion and CNT production. SrTiNi0.12O3 (STNO12), reduced at 800°C for 12h in 99.99% pure hydrogen, produced an initial methane conversion of 49% that deactivated in two hours to ~15%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that some Ni in STNO samples was not fully incorporated into the perovskite structure, however, exsolution was still achieved after reduction. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) photos provide insight into the relationship between Ni content/reduction temperature to exsolved Ni metal particle size.

Embargo Reason

Publication Pending

Comments

I fixed the numbering and authors.

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