Valorization of coal treatment residues as a host matrix of nanosized nickel, copper and zinc ferrites

High quality activated carbon was prepared using by-products from the pyrolysis of low rank coals as a precursor. The obtained carbon material was applied as a host matrix of nanosized MFe 2 O 4 ferrites (M = Ni, Cu or Zn). XRD, Mössbauer and TPR analyses were performed for samples characterization and their catalytic behavior in methanol decomposition as a source of hydrogen was tested. In contrast to the reference mesoporous KIT-6 silica based analogues, the active phase in the carbon modifications was more accessible for the reactants and represented a complex mixture of metals, alloys, substituted magnetite and finely dispersed ferrites, which ensured their higher catalytic activity in methanol decomposition.