Analysis of Catalytic Properties of Ni3Al Thin Foils for the Methanol and Hexane Decomposition

Intermetallic Ni3Al – based alloys belong to a group of advanced materials characterized by good chemical and physical properties (such as structural stability, corrosion resistance) which offer advenced technological applications. The paper presents the study of catalytic properties of Ni3Al foils (thickness approximately 50 μm) in the methanol and hexane decomposition. The egzamined material posses microcrystalline structure without any additional catalysts on the surface. The better catalytic activity of Ni3Al foils with respect to quartz plates in both methanol and hexane decomposition was confirmed. On thin Ni3Al foils the methanol conversion reaches approximately 100% above 480 C while the hexane conversion reaches approximately 100% (98,5%) at 500 C. Deposit formed during the methanol decomposition is built up of carbon nanofibers decorated with metal-like nanoparticles. Keywords—hexane decomposition, methanol decomposition, Ni3Al thin foils, Ni nanoparticles