International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, cilt.138, ss.723-732, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
This study conducted a comprehensive examination of the effects of modification procedures on Ni@SiO2 microspheres, utilizing ammonia (NH3) decomposition as a primary model reaction in both conventional and microwave reactors. Through a hydrothermal method, we successfully synthesized nickel-containing microspheres and enhanced their performance by increasing the nickel content via synthesis and impregnation methods. Notably, the dielectric properties of the catalyst significantly improved when combined with activated carbon (AC) in ratios ranging from 3:1 to 1:1, followed by treatment with methane (CH4). The microwave-assisted NH3 decomposition achieved remarkable conversion rates of up to 98 % at 500 °C, substantially surpassing the performance of conventional reactors. Furthermore, the CH4-treated catalysts demonstrated excellence in minimizing energy losses in microwave reactions, facilitating high-temperature operations with reduced energy consumption. This positions our nickel-based silica microsphere catalyst as a highly efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional commercial catalysts, paving the way for advanced applications in microwave reactor technology.