Carbon-Coated Catalytic Static Mixers for Dual-Function Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation

Disl MF, Ng D, Swart J, Auer F, Kiermaier S, Distaso M, Wasserscheid P, Hornung CH, Xie Z (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering American Chemical Society

Book Volume: 14

Pages Range: 8210-8220

Journal Issue: 17

DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.6c00102

Abstract

The efficient immobilization of active catalyst materials onto surfaces of complex scaffold geometries remains a key challenge in the development of high-performance structured reactor systems. We demonstrate, for the first time, a carbon-based coating for the direct deposition of a carbon black-supported platinum catalyst onto an additively manufactured stainless steel catalytic static mixer (CSM). The conformal carbon-based coating provides mechanical stability comparable to that of conventional alumina supports while offering a chemically robust interface for catalyst immobilization. In liquid organic hydrogen carrier hydrogenation and dehydrogenation, the carbon-coated CSMs exhibit higher activity than industrial benchmark catalysts and reduced side product formation in the dehydrogenation, relative to alumina-based catalysts. Moreover, the carbon-based catalyst enables dual functionality within a single catalyst system, eliminating the need for separate hydrogenation and dehydrogenation catalysts. Beyond catalytic performance, the integration of the carbon coating with the structured stainless steel CSM architecture enhances heat/mass transfer and reduces pressure drop, offering distinct advantages over pelletized and slurry-based systems. The developed carbon-based CSM offers a versatile platform that extends the reach of carbon-based catalysis across diverse catalytic processes.

Involved external institutions

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) AU Australia (AU) Forschungszentrum Jülich / Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Disl, M.F., Ng, D., Swart, J., Auer, F., Kiermaier, S., Distaso, M.,... Xie, Z. (2026). Carbon-Coated Catalytic Static Mixers for Dual-Function Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 14(17), 8210-8220. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.6c00102

MLA:

Disl, Marcel F.G., et al. "Carbon-Coated Catalytic Static Mixers for Dual-Function Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier Hydrogenation and Dehydrogenation." ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 14.17 (2026): 8210-8220.

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