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catalysts
The structural change of Ni species during the methane decomposition into hydrogen and carbon over Ni/SiO2 catalyst was investigated by Ni K-edge XANES/EXAFS. Before the contact of methane with the Ni/SiO2 catalyst, Ni species were present as Ni metal mainly. The structure of the Ni metal did not change appreciably when the Ni/SiO2 was actively decomposing methane. In contrast, the formation of nickel carbide species was observed at the deactivation stage of the catalyst.