On the performance optimisation of Fe catalysts in the microwave - assisted H2 production by the dehydrogenation of hexadecane

Microwave - assisted catalysis has previously been shown to offer unique advantages in the rapid production of hydrogen from hydrocarbons fuels. In this work, we have prepared a series of supported catalysts with varying iron content and support materials, and evaluated the resulting H2 production from hexadecane, a key representative component of diesel fuel. These catalysts, under microwave activation, exhibit high selectivity for H2 over hydrocarbons in the effluent gas. Microwave-assisted Fe catalysts supported on SiC at low Fe loading levels (<10 wt.%) are found to be the most effective catalytic system for rapid and high-purity H2 production from hexadecane.