Preparation of carbon nanotubes and hydrogen from methane decomposition over a nano-sized Ni/Cu/Al2O3 catalyst was investigated in the temperature range of 823—1143 K in a fluidized bed reactor

which can provide sufficient space for carbon nanotubes growth. It was observed that the conversion of methane directly depended on operation conditions

including temperature

space velocity

gas velocity and the heat-up rate etc. Also the morphology of nanotubes was influenced significantly by the heat-up mode. Adopting a lower heat-up rate (50K8226;h-1)

relatively high conversion of methane and carbon nanotubes with pretty good morphology can be simultaneously achieved as compared to the results by adopting a higher heat-up rate(600K8226;h-1). Furthermore

by using a low heat-up rate from 823K to 1123K

continuous production of the carbon nanotubes was achieved at 1123K and the yield of carbon nanotubes was up to 10g8226;(g cat)-18226;h-1

which provided the basis for the large scale and continuous production of carbon nanotubes.