Methane Decomposition to Hydrogen and Carbon Nanotubes in an Innovative Arc Reactor with Molten Electrodes

Plasma decomposition of natural gas is a promising approach to generate hydrogen gas (H₂) and a high value solid form of carbon with no CO₂ emissions. For example, in the presence of catalysts immersed in the flowing plasma, it has been shown that carbon from methane is transformed into carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In our research, we explored the scientific principles underlying CNT synthesis from methane (CH₄) and its gas mixtures in an innovative plasma arc with molten electrodes.^1,2 Some results of this research will be presented. Specifically, we will compare this new arc synthesis approach with a more traditional synthesis of CNT in carbon arcs (e.g., Ref. 3).

References

¹ S. Musikhin, V. Nemchinsky, and Y. Raitses, "Growth of metal nanoparticles in hydrocarbon atmosphere of arc discharge", Nanotechnology. 35, 385601 (2024)

² V. Nemchinsky, S. Musikhin, and Y. Raitses, " Simulation of metal nanoparticles growth in methane atmosphere of arc discharge: Comparison to experiment", J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 58, 085207 (2025)

³ M. Keidar, A. Shashurin, O. Volotskova, Y. Raitses, and I. I. Beilis, "Mechanism of carbon nanostructure synthesis in arc plasma", Carbon 17,057101 (2010)