NixZn1-xFe2O4 modified activated carbons from industrial waste as catalysts for hydrogen production

This study is aimed at the development of intelligent approach for clean energy production via valorization of industrial waste by-products. The proposed scheme is based on the preparation of activated carbon based catalysts for methanol decomposition as a source of hydrogen. Peach stones from the canning industry and by-products from low-rank coals treatment, all of them widely available in the Balkan region, are used as activated carbon precursors. The specific effect of carbon support on the formation of the loaded active NixZn1-xFe2O4 (x = 0; 0.2; 0.8; 1) ferrite phase are studied by nitrogen physisorption, XRD, HRTEM, FTIR, Moessbauer spectroscopy, TPR with hydrogen and Boehm method. To precise the discussion, analogues KIT-6 silica modifications are used as reference samples. It was found that the hosted in the activated carbon metal containing phase represents a complex mixture of Ni and/or Zn substituted magnetite, NiFe alloys, metallic Fe and ZnO. Its composition and dispersion is controlled by the variation of the Ni/Zn ratio and the texture peculiarities of the carbon support, the latter being easily tuned by the waste precursor used. The NixZn1-xFe2O4 modified activated carbons obtained from peach stones and coal treatment by-products possess a significant potential for sustainable environmental protection as cheap and effective catalysts for hydrogen production.