Cyclic Process of Catalytic Methane Decomposition and Oxidative Regeneration over Nickel-Carbon Catalyst

 Methane was decomposed over the nickel-carbon catalyst for producing hydrogen and carbon nano-onions. The generated carbon nano-onions were gasified by CO₂ and the spent catalyst was regenerated while CO₂ was converted to high-purity CO. The regenerated catalyst was re-used for the methane decomposition and the cyclic operation was repeated for 15 cycles. Both catalytic activities were stably maintained for 15 cycles, which provides a potential for the cycle process. The nickel-carbon catalyst was synthesized from CO₂ and two major green-house gases, methane and CO₂ were converted to hydrogen and CO. Therefore, the cyclic operations over the prepared catalyst can be a practical candidate of the sustainable process.