Production of hydrogen-rich gas and multi-walled carbon nanotubes from ethanol decomposition over molybdenum modified Ni/MgO catalysts

A series of molybdenum modified Ni/MgO catalysts (Ni-Mo/MgO) with different loading ratios of Ni : Mo were prepared by impregnation method. Ethanol decomposition to co-produce multi-walled carbon nanotubes and hydrogen-rich gas at temperatures of 600–800 °C was investigated over the synthesized Ni-Mo/MgO catalysts. The results showed that the catalytic activity depended strongly on the reaction temperature and loading ratio of Ni : Mo. According to the gaseous and solid products obtained, the reaction pathways for ethanol decomposition were suggested.