This system is capable of transforming the resulting carbon into nanomaterials with technological applications used in sectors such as electronics. The work is published in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, reports the CSIC.

The team of researchers from the UPV, led by Jose Manuel Catalá Civera, and the CSIC, led by Jose Manuel Serra, demonstrate in their study that microwave energy allows the chemical reaction to be activated to obtain clean hydrogen at temperatures much lower than those necessary with traditional systems.

In the tests carried out, the researchers achieved methane conversions of up to 80% at just 500ºC – half the temperatures required for methane decomposition with traditional methods, usually above 900-1,000°C – while maintaining hydrogen production with 100% selectivity.

Unlike the usual methods, which heat the entire reactor, microwaves concentrate the energy directly onto the catalyst. This reduces energy losses and makes the process more compatible with the use of electricity from renewable sources.

"Most of the hydrogen manufactured in the world today comes from natural gas through processes that release large amounts of carbon dioxide. Our technology also uses methane, but transforms it into hydrogen and solid carbon using microwaves, avoiding direct CO2 emissions and significantly reducing the energy needed to carry out the reaction. Less energy consumed, lower operating costs and greater process efficiency. These are the three main advantages of our system," summarizes ITQ researcher Alfonso Carrillo.

HARNESSING CARBON

In addition, with the system developed by the team, the carbon generated during the reaction does not become waste. In their work, the researchers obtained different carbon nanostructures, such as nanofibers and other high value-added carbon nanostructures, used as components in batteries, supercapacitors, composite materials for the transportation industry, sensors, electronic devices, and energy storage systems.

"Our goal was not only to produce hydrogen, but to do so with a more efficient process, which reduces energy consumption and converts carbon into a useful resource instead of emitting it into the atmosphere. And all this is what the technology we have developed in our laboratories allows, the result of more than five years of work," concludes Itaca researcher Jose Daniel Gutiérrez Cano.

Source:   Fuel Cells Works