UAE researchers are turning sand into a hydrogen catalyst
In the UAE, Fast Company Middle East reported that researchers at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have developed a catalyst that combines desert sand, biochar made from date pits, and nickel for use in hydrogen production.
The material was tested in methane decomposition, where it achieved a methane conversion rate of 38% at temperatures between 500°C and 600°C. The researchers say the results offer early evidence of its potential, although further testing is needed to determine how well the catalyst performs over longer periods and whether it can be reused.
The study, published in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds, was conducted by researchers from UAEU’s Departments of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and Chemistry, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, according to the report.
The team tested 30 different formulations to find the right balance between the three materials. The optimal formulation contained 15% nickel, 42.5% desert sand, and 42.5% biochar.
According to the researchers, the biochar helped distribute the nickel more evenly across the sand and reduced the tendency of the metal particles to clump together. It also increased the material’s porosity and surface area, creating more sites where chemical reactions could occur.
The resulting catalyst demonstrated high hydrogen adsorption capacity and improved nickel dispersion compared with a catalyst made from sand and nickel alone, the report added.
Category: Research
