Estimation of the Efficiency of Oxalic Acid in the Solution Combustion Synthesis of a Catalyst for Production of Hydrogen and Carbon from Methane

The parameters of the synthesis of catalysts by the solution combustion method using oxalic acid as a reducing agent were investigated. The activity of the catalysts was determined in the production of hydrogen and carbon nanofibers by the catalytic decomposition of methane. The efficiency of oxalic acid was demonstrated in the preparation of a nickel catalyst (90% Ni/10% Al₂O₃), which does not require the preliminary reduction with hydrogen. Regression analysis identified that the yields of carbon and hydrogen are most strongly affected by temperature among other synthesis parameters.