Publication
Title
Interactions of plasma species on nickel catalysts : a reactive molecular dynamics study on the influence of temperature and surface structure
Author
Abstract
Methane reforming by plasma catalysis is a complex process that is far from understood. It requires a multidisciplinary approach which ideally takes into account all effects from the plasma on the catalyst, and vice versa. In this contribution, we focus on the interactions of CHx (x = {1,2,3}) radicals that are created in the plasma with several nickel catalyst surfaces. To this end, we perform reactive molecular dynamics simulations, based on the ReaxFF potential, in a wide temperature range of 4001600 K. First, we focus on the H2 formation as a function of temperature and surface structure. We observe that substantial H2 formation is obtained at 1400 K and above, while the role of the surface structure seems limited. Indeed, in the initial stage, the type of nickel surface influences the CH bond breaking efficiency of adsorbed radicals; however, the continuous carbon diffusion into the surface gradually diminishes the surface crystallinity and therefore reduces the effect of surface structure on the H2 formation probability. Furthermore, we have also investigated to what extent the species adsorbed on the catalyst surface can participate in surface reactions more in general, for the various surface structures and as a function of temperature. These results are part of the ongoing research on the methane reforming by plasma catalysis, a highly interesting yet complex alternative to conventional reforming processes.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Applied catalysis : B : environmental. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2014
ISSN
0926-3373
DOI
10.1016/J.APCATB.2014.01.061
Volume/pages
154 (2014) , p. 1-8
ISI
000335098800001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Atomistic simulations of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of single walled carbon nanotubes
CalcUA as central calculation facility: supporting core facilities.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 03.03.2014
Last edited 22.01.2024
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