Ethanol steam reforming with Co0 (111) for hydrogen and carbon nanofilament generation

Abstract

The cobalt metal catalysts are highly active at low temperature ESR. In this study, ESR was studied over barren Co metal (Co⁰) from oxalate precursor without any pre-reduction to find out its role in hydrogen and carbon nano-filament generation. The ethanol conversion was found to be 100% with 96.5% hydrogen selectivity at 723K. The time on stream (TOS) study has shown stability up to 19h for Co catalyst. The diameter of Co-carbon nanofilament was calculated and found to be typically in the range of 70–80 nm by the TEM image analysis of spent catalyst. The SEM with EDS analysis revealed that Co⁰ state was found in between the carbon nanofilament as well as at the tip of carbon nanofilament. The obtained Co-C nanofilament displayed an adsorption capacity of 552 mg/g at optimum parameter of pH = 2, contact time = 60 minute, concentration = 30 ppm, dose = 0.05g for Orange G dye removal without any chemical or physical treatment. This approach has shown significant results in terms of hydrogen generation and method of Co carbon nanofilament for further utilization in different prospects.