Structural impact of carbon nanofibers/few-layer-graphene substrate decorated with Ni for CO2 methanation via inductive heating

[Display omitted] •Carbon nanofibers(CNFs) with different diameter synthesised via CVD on few layer graphene (FLG).•High dispersion and low size of Ni determined by graphitic edges: CNFs diameter and FLG edges.•CO2 conversion under inductive heating (IH) over Ni/CNFs/FLG compared with Joule heating.•High dispersion of Ni with the low Ni % (10 %) ensures very high conversion of CO2 with high selectivity and stability.•Ni/CNFs/FLG supports have different IH capacity depend on CNFs diameter (Ni dispersion). The structure of catalyst containing Ni nanoparticles (NPs) supported over carbon nanofibers/few layer graphene (CNFs/FLG) was tailored via modification of chemical vapor deposition parameters in view of methanation of CO2 under induction heating mode (IH). High edges-to- graphitic plane ratio in the support achieved due to the specific herringbone morphology of CNFs allowed to get high CO2 conversion of 85 % at relatively low temperature (360 °C) at very low Ni loading of only 10 %. A design of catalyst included also the use of FLG known for high temperature conductivity and by occasion serving as a support to grow CNFs. The performances of certain catalysts are also tested under “standard” Joule heating in order to check the role of the magnetic and conductive carbon support. The morphology, chemical composition and SAR measurements of the catalysts and carbon supports themselves are addressed and their structure-catalytic performances are discussed.