Micro-grained thin foils made of Ni₃Al intermetallic alloy were fabricated, according to a previously described procedure, and tested as catalyst for decomposition of cyclohexane. The conversion efficiency of the catalyst was evaluated in a synthetic air atmosphere, and found to be as high as 98.7% ± 1.0% at 600 °C and 86.7% ± 3.6% at 500 °C. During the reaction, the growth of carbon nanofibers on the catalysts surface was observed. The chemical and phase composition of the nanofibers was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), finding them to be made of graphitic carbon. Additionally, nanoparticles of nickel appear to be incorporated in the fibers. The obtained material is promising for large scale fabrication in industrial applications because of its high efficiency in the hydrocarbon decomposition, the simple fabrication procedure, and the form of self-supporting foils with the presence of additional carbon nanofibers that increase its efficiency.
Keywords: Ni3Al intermetallic alloy; catalysis; cyclohexane; nickel aluminides.