Catalyst carrier and method for producing a catalyst carrier
A catalyst carrier made from aluminium and silicon-containing materials, treated with alkali activation and metal precursors, addresses inefficiencies in alumina carriers by achieving high carbon yields and sustainable production of carbon nanofibers.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HYCAMITE TCD TECH OY
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
AI Technical Summary
Existing catalyst carriers, such as alumina (Al2O3), are inefficient and costly for thermocatalytic decomposition processes, and there is a need for a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative that can produce high yields of solid carbon products like carbon nanofibers.
A catalyst carrier formed from aluminium and silicon-containing materials, such as kaolin, metakaolin, bentonite, or zeolite, treated with alkali activation and metal precursors like nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu), providing a high surface area and molar ratios for efficient thermocatalytic decomposition.
The new catalyst carrier achieves comparable carbon yields to alumina while being more sustainable and cost-effective, producing carbon nanofibers and other allotropes efficiently.
Smart Images
Figure FI2025060190_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] CATALYST CARRIER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CATALYST
[0002] CARRIER
[0003] FIELD
[0004] The present disclosure relates to a catalyst carrier . The present disclosure further relates to a method for producing a catalyst carrier . The present disclosure further relates to a method for treating the catalyst carrier .
[0005] BACKGROUND
[0006] Di f ferent catalyst carriers are known for using in catalysts of chemical reactions . A carrier material in catalysts may provide a high-surface-area support for active catalyst components , enhancing their dispersion and catalytic activity . For example, AI2O3 carrier is used in the catalysts .
[0007] SUMMARY
[0008] A catalyst carrier is disclosed . The catalyst carrier is formed of an aluminium and silicon containing material , wherein the aluminium and silicon containing material is treated to form an Al-Si containing catalyst carrier .
[0009] Further is disclosed a method for producing a catalyst carrier . The method comprises : providing an aluminium and silicon containing material , and treating the aluminium and silicon containing material to form an Al-Si containing catalyst carrier .
[0010] Further is disclosed a method for treating the catalyst carrier to form a catalyst for a chemical reaction forming at least a carbon product . The method comprises treating the catalyst carrier by an addition of a metal precursor and / or by a calcination and / or reduction . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The accompanying drawings , which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this speci fication, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention . In the drawings :
[0012] Figure 1 illustrates the thermocatalytic decomposition performance of catalysts made in example 2 and a comparative example of alpha alumina (a-A^Ch ) carrier ) .
[0013] Figure 2 illustrates the thermocatalytic decomposition performance of catalysts made in example 4 and a comparative example of alpha alumina (a-A^Ch ) carrier .
[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The catalyst carrier is formed of an aluminium and silicon containing material that is selected from a group consisting of an inorganic side stream material , kaolin, metakaolin, bentonite , kaolinite , zeolite or any combination thereof , wherein the aluminium and silicon containing material is treated to form an Al-Si containing catalyst carrier .
[0016] Further is disclosed a method for producing a catalyst carrier . The method comprises : providing an aluminium and silicon containing material that is selected from a group consisting of an inorganic side stream material , kaolin, metakaolin, bentonite , kaolinite , zeolite or any combination thereof , and treating the aluminium and silicon containing material to form an Al-Si containing catalyst car- rier . Further is disclosed a method for treating the catalyst carrier to form a catalyst for a chemical reaction forming at least a carbon product . The method comprises treating the catalyst carrier by an addition of a metal precursor and / or by a calcination and / or reduction .
[0017] In one embodiment , the catalyst carrier is for a thermocatalytic decomposition process , wherein a solid carbon product is produced .
[0018] In one embodiment , the catalyst carrier is used in a thermocatalytic decomposition, in which a sol id carbon product is produced .
[0019] In one embodiment , the aluminium and silicon containing material comprises an aluminosilicate . In one embodiment , the inorganic side stream material comprises an aluminosilicate .
[0020] In one embodiment , the inorganic side stream material i s a fly ash, bottom ash, slags , clay, or any combination thereof . In one embodiment , the aluminium and s ilicon containing material i s formed of the inorganic side stream material . In one embodiment , the aluminium and silicon containing material is formed of kaolin, metakaolin, bentonite , kaolinite , zeolite or any combination thereof . In one embodiment , simple aluminosilicates such as zeolites , clay, bentonite , kaolinite and metakaolin are dif ferent forms of hydrated compounds of aluminosilicates . In one embodiment , kaolin, metakaolin, bentonite, kaolinite and / or zeolite are the inorganic side stream material .
[0021] In one embodiment , the aluminium and silicon containing material is treated by an alkali activation using an alkali activator . Alkali activation refers to a chemical process where the aluminium and silicon containing material , e . g . aluminosilicate materials ( such as fly ash, metakaolin, or slag) , may be activated using an alkali activator, resulting in the formation of an activated material with desirable properties . In one embodiment, the alkali activation is carried out in aqueous solution.
[0022] In one embodiment, the alkali activator is a sodium sulphate, sodium hydroxide, KOH, Na2SiO3, K2S1O3 or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the sodium sulphate is an inorganic waste produced as a byproduct from battery manufacturing process.
[0023] In one embodiment, the alkali activated material, such as catalyst carrier, has a surface area of 10 - 50 m2 / g, 10 - 40 m2 / g, or 10 - 20 m2 / g.
[0024] In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier molar ratio Al:Si:Na is adjusted to 1:1:1 - 1:4:1, in one embodiment 1:1:1 - 1:1:2. In one embodiment, the molar ratio Al: Si: Na is 1:1:1 - 1:4:1, in one embodiment 1:1:1 - 1:1:2, in the catalyst carrier. In one embodiment, the molar ratio Al: Si is adjusted to 1:1 - 1:4, in one embodiment 1:1:1 - 1:1:2, in the catalyst carrier. In one embodiment, the molar ratio Al: Si is 1:1:1 - 1:4:1, in one embodiment 1:1:1 - 1:1:2, in the catalyst carrier. The above specified catalyst carrier molar ratios have the added utility provide an active carrier in thermocatalytic decomposition. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier molar ratio Al:Si:Na is 0.1: 1:1 1:10:1. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier molar ratio Al:Si:K is 0.1: 1:1 - 1:10:1. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier molar ratio Al: Si is 0.1:1 - 1:10.
[0025] In one embodiment, a metal precursor is added to the catalyst carrier. In one embodiment, a metal precursor is added to the catalyst carrier during a preparation of the catalyst carrier or by an impregnation to the catalyst carrier. In one embodiment, a catalytic agent of the metal precursor is selected from the group consisting of nickel, copper, molybdenum, cobalt, zinc, chromium, iron, other suitable metal, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the metal precursor is a Ni and / or Cu precursor. In one embodiment, the metal precursor is a Ni nitrate, or Cu nitrate, or Fe nitrate . In one embodiment , Ni , Fe and Cu precursors are added to the catalyst carrier . In one embodiment , the loading of Ni is 5 - 25 wt-% , or 10 - 20 wt-% , or 12 - 18 wt-% , and the loading of Cu is 1 - 10 wt-% , or 1 - 8 wt-% , or 1 - 4 wt-% , in the catalyst carrier . In one embodiment , the loading of Ni is 5 - 80 wt-% , or 10 - 70 wt-% , or 20 - 60 wt-% in the catalyst carrier . In one embodiment , the Fe precursor is made from an Fe-con- taining metal slag, Fe-containing waste material and / or Fe-containing side stream material .
[0026] In one embodiment , the catalyst carrier is formed of an aluminium and silicon containing material that is selected from a group consisting of an inorganic side stream material , kaolin, metakaolin, bentonite , kaolinite , zeolite or any combination thereof , wherein the aluminium and silicon containing material is treated to form an Al-Si containing catalyst carrier, and wherein a metal precursor is added to the catalyst carrier during a preparation of the catalyst carrier or by an impregnation to the catalyst carrier, and the metal precursor is a Ni precursor, and the loading of Ni is 5 - 25 wt-% in the catalyst carrier, and wherein the catalyst carrier is used in a thermocatalytic decomposition, in which a solid carbon product is produced . In one embodiment , the method comprises : providing an aluminium and silicon containing material that is selected from a group consisting of an inorganic side stream material , kaolin, metakaolin, bentonite , kaolinite , zeolite or any combination thereof , and treating the aluminium and s ilicon containing material to form an Al- Si containing catalyst carrier, and adding a metal precursor to the catalyst carrier, and the metal precursor is a Ni precursor, and the loading of Ni is 5 - 25 wt- % in the catalyst carrier, and wherein the catalyst carrier is used in a thermocatalytic decomposition, in which a solid carbon product is produced . In one embodiment, the aluminium and silicon containing material is treated by a calcination or thermal treatment, e.g. at a temperature of 500 - 800 °C. In one embodiment, the aluminium and silicon containing material is treated by the thermal treatment. In one embodiment, the aluminium and silicon containing material is treated by the calcination.
[0027] In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier molar ratio Al: Si is adjusted to 1:1 - 2:1. In one embodiment, the molar ratio Al: Si is 1:1 - 2:1 in the catalyst carrier. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier molar ratio Al: Si is adjusted to 0.1:1 - 1:10. In one embodiment, the molar ratio Al: Si is 0.1:1 - 1:10 in the catalyst carrier.
[0028] In one embodiment, a metal precursor is added to the catalyst carrier.
[0029] In one embodiment, the method further comprises treating the aluminium and silicon containing material by an alkali activation using an alkali activator.
[0030] In one embodiment, the method further comprises adjusting Al:Si:Na molar ratio to 1:1:1 - 1:4:1. In one embodiment, the method further comprises adjusting Al:Si:Na molar ratio to 0.1: 1:1 - 1:10:1. In one embodiment, the method further comprises adjusting Al: Si molar ratio to 1:1 - 1:4. In one embodiment, the method further comprises adjusting Al: Si molar ratio to 0.1:1
[0031] - 1:10.
[0032] In one embodiment, the method further comprises adding a metal precursor to the catalyst carrier.
[0033] In one embodiment, the method further comprises treating the aluminium and silicon containing material by a calcination or thermal treatment. In one embodiment, the thermal treatment is carried out at a temperature of 500
[0034] - 800 °C. In one embodiment, the calcination is carried out at a temperature of 500 - 800 °C or 600 700 °C. In one embodiment, the method further comprises adjusting the catalyst carrier molar ratio Al: Si to 1:1 - 2:1.
[0035] In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier is treated by adding the metal precursor to form the catalyst. In one embodiment, the catalyst is activated before the reaction, e.g. by heat, calcination and / or reduction. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier is treated by adding the metal precursor to form the catalyst, and the catalyst is activated before the reaction .
[0036] In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier is treated by calcining. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier is calcined at a temperature of 600 - 900 °C, in one embodiment 700 - 800 °C. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier is treated by reducing. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier is reduced at a temperature of 400 - 700 °C, in one embodiment 500 - 700 °C, and in one embodiment 500 - 600 °C. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier is treated by calcining at a temperature of 600 - 900 °C, e.g. 700 - 800 °C, and by reducing at a temperature of 400 - 700 °C, e.g. 500 - 600 °C. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier is dried before the calcination and / or reduction. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier is sieved, e.g. to size of 300 - 500 pm before the calcination and / or reduction.
[0037] In one embodiment, the aluminium and silicon containing material, e.g. inorganic side stream material, is treated by an alkali activation using an alkali activator, e.g. in H2O solution. The alkali activator may be a sodium sulphate, sodium hydroxide, KOH, Na2SiO3, K2SiO3or any combination thereof. After the activation, the alkali activated material, such as catalyst carrier, may have a surface area of 10 - 20 m2 / g. The molar ratio Al:Si:Na is 1:1:1 - 1:4:1 in the catalyst carrier. A metal precursor, e.g. Ni, Cu and / or Fe based precursor such as Ni nitrate and / or Cu nitrate, can be added to the catalyst carrier during a preparation of the catalyst carrier or by an impregnation to the catalyst carrier. In one embodiment, the loading of Ni is 5 - 25 wt- % , or 10 - 20 wt-%, or 12 - 18 wt-% and the loading of Cu is 1 - 10 wt-%, or 1 - 8 wt-% or 1 - 4 wt-% in the catalyst carrier. The catalyst carrier may be activated, e.g. by heat, calcination and / or reduction, to form the catalyst .
[0038] In one embodiment, the aluminium and silicon containing material, e.g. kaolin, metakaolin, bentonite, kaolinite and / or zeolite, is treated by a calcination or thermal treatment at a temperature of 500 - 800 °C. The molar ratio Al: Si may be 1:1 - 2:1 in the catalyst carrier. The catalyst carrier may be treated by adding a metal precursor and / or by a calcination and / or reduction to form the catalyst. The metal precursor, e.g. Ni, Cu and / or Fe based precursor, can be added to the catalyst carrier during a preparation of the catalyst carrier or by an impregnation to the catalyst carrier. In one embodiment, the loading of Ni is 5 - 25 wt- % , or 10 - 20 wt-%, or 12 - 18 wt-%, and the loading of Cu is 1 - 10 wt-%, or 1 - 8 wt-%, or 1 - 4 wt-%, in the catalyst carrier. After the addition of the metal, the catalyst may be activated before the reaction, e.g. by heat, calcination and / or reduction. The catalyst carrier can be calcined at a temperature of 600 - 900 °C. The catalyst carrier can be reduced at a temperature of 400 - 700 °C. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier is treated by calcining at a temperature of 600 - 900 °C and by reducing at a temperature of 400 - 700 °C.
[0039] The formed catalyst carrier and the catalyst has the added utility of providing a high carbon yield.
[0040] Carbon yield refers to the amount of carbon produced or converted in a chemical reaction relative to the amount of catalyst used and it may be expressed in terms of grams of carbon (gC) per gram of catalyst (gCat) . In one embodiment the carbon is produced by a chemical reaction with the formed catalyst, wherein a reactant is arranged into contact with the catalyst for performing the chemical reaction to form the carbon. The chemical reaction can be performed at a temperature of 700 - 1000 °C. In one embodiment, the reactant is a hydrocarbon selected from the group of Ci-io-alkanes , such as methane and ethane, C2-io_alkenes , and C2-io_al- kynes, a mixture of hydrocarbons, or any combinations thereof. The carbon or carbon product comprises at least carbon, e.g. an allotrope of carbon. Preferably, the carbon is in the solid form. In one embodiment, the allotrope of the carbon is formed, and the allotrope comprises carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, single wall carbon nanotubes, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, carbon nano onions, carbon nano shells, carbon micro shells, carbon coils, amorphous carbon, graphene, graphite fibers, graphite, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the allotrope of the carbon comprises graphite fibers and / or graphite, e.g. any graphite, any graphite fibers, filamentous graphite fibers or the like. In one embodiment, the allotrope of the carbon is a mixture of the allotropes.
[0041] The catalyst carrier and the catalyst formed of the catalyst carrier can be used in a methane splitting, catalysed methane splitting, catalysed pyrolysis, catalysed hydrocarbon pyrolysis, catalysed methane pyrolysis, catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition, catalytic methane decomposition, thermocatalytic decomposition, thermocatalytic methane decomposition, chemical vapor deposition, other reaction, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the catalyst carrier and the catalyst is used in a reactor, vertical reactor, tube reactor, fixed reactor, fixed bed reactor, pyrolysis reactor, fluidized reactor, rotary kiln reactor or any combination thereof . The catalyst carrier has the added utility of being a sustainable , eco- friendly and cost-ef fective . AI2O3 carrier can be replaced with the catalyst carrier of the invention, and the catalyst carrier is cost- ef fective compared to commercial alumina (a-A12O3 ) . Further, the catalyst carrier is easy to prepare , modi fy and the preparation can be scaled easily .
[0042] The catalyst carrier has the added utility of the carbon morphology e . g . to produce carbon nanofibers with di f ferent aspect ratios compared to traditionally used alumina carrier .
[0043] EXAMPLES
[0044] Reference will now be made in detail to the described embodiments , examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings .
[0045] The description below discloses some embodiments in such a detail that a person skilled in the art is able to produce the catalyst carrier and utili ze the method based on the disclosure . Not all steps of the embodiments are discussed in detail , as some of the steps will be obvious for the person skilled in the art based on this speci fication .
[0046] Figure 1 illustrates the thermocatalytic decomposition performance of catalysts made in example 2 and a comparative example of alpha alumina (a-A^Ch ) carrier . The f igure shows " time on stream" and carbon yield .
[0047] Figure 2 illustrates the thermocatalytic decomposition performance of catalysts made in example 4 and a comparative example of alpha alumina (a-A^Ch ) carrier . The figure shows " time on stream" and carbon yield . EXAMPLE 1 - Method for producing a catalyst carrier from kaolinite
[0048] In this example a catalyst carrier was produced. Kaolinite A12Si20s (OH) 4 was used as a starting material and it was calcined at 700-800 °C to form an Al- Si containing catalyst carrier, i.e. simple metakaolin. The catalyst carrier molar ratio Al: Si was 1: 1-1:2.
[0049] EXAMPLE 2 - A method for treating a catalyst carrier to form a catalyst for a chemical reaction forming a carbon product
[0050] In this example two catalyst carriers, i.e. metakaolins, were treated to form two catalysts for a chemical reaction which forms a solid carbon product.
[0051] In this example, two catalyst carriers from Example 1 were used, and metal precursors, i.e. Ni and Cu based precursors, were added to the catalyst carrier. The catalyst carrier particles, 300 - 500 pm, were dried and then calcinated at 750 °C for 1 hour. Then the first carrier particles were reduced at 450 °C for 2 hours to form the first catalyst which is referred to as NiCu / me- takaolin-450red in Figure 1 and the second carrier particles were reduced at 550 °C for 2 hours to form the catalyst, which is referred to as NiCu / metakaolin-550red in Figure 1.
[0052] It was observed that the catalysts can be used in the thermocatalytic decomposition, in which solid carbon product is produced.
[0053] As shown in Figure 1, the carbon yield of the formed catalyst carriers are similar to that of the comparative example, i.e. a-A^Ch carrier with NiCu loading. The figure shows "time on stream" (h) , which represents the duration for which the catalyst remains active and maintains stable performance under the reaction's operating conditions. The carbon yield refers to the amount of carbon produced or converted in a chemical reaction relative to the amount of catalyst used and it is expressed in terms of gram of carbon (gC) per gram of catalyst (gCat) .
[0054] EXAMPLE 3 - Method for producing a catalyst carrier from inorganic side stream
[0055] In this example a catalyst carrier was produced. An inorganic side stream material containing aluminosilicate was treated by an alkali activation using an alkali activator to form an Al-Si containing catalyst carrier. The alkali activator used was a sodium sulphate, obtained from a battery industry waste, in H2O dissolution. The catalyst carrier molar ratio Al:Si:Na was adjusted to 1:1:1. Further, metal precursors, i.e. Ni and Cu nitrates were added to the catalyst carrier (15 weight-% Ni, 2 weight-% Cu loadings) by an impregnation .
[0056] EXAMPLE 4 - Method for producing a catalyst carrier from inorganic side streams
[0057] In this example a catalyst carrier, i.e. geopolymer, was produced. An inorganic side stream material containing aluminosilicate was treated by an alkali activation using an alkali activator to form an Al-Si containing catalyst carrier. The alkali activator used was NaOH in H2O dissolution. The catalyst carrier molar ratio Al:Si:Na was 1:1:1 and 1:4:1. The catalyst carrier had a surface area of 10-20 m2 / g. Finally, metal precursors, i.e. Ni and Cu based precursors, were impregnated to the catalyst carrier (15 weight-% Ni, 2 weight- % Cu loadings) . The first catalyst, which is referred to as NiCu / GP-A <0.3mm in Figure 2, comprised catalyst carrier particles of below 300 pm. The second catalyst, which is referred to as NiCu / GP-A 0.2-0.5mm in Figure 2, comprised catalyst carrier particles of 200 - 500 pm. The third catalyst, which is referred to as NiCu / GP-A 0.3-0.5mm in Figure 2, comprised catalyst carrier particles of 300 - 500 pm. The fourth catalyst, which is referred to as NiCu / GP-A 0.3-0.5mm in Figure 2, comprised catalyst carrier particles of 300 - 500 pm.
[0058] It was observed that the catalysts can be used in the thermocatalytic decomposition, in which solid carbon product is produced. As shown in Figure 2, the carbon yield of the formed catalysts are similar to that of the comparative example, i.e. catalyst comprising a- A12O3 carrier with NiCu loading. The figure shows "time on stream" (h) , which represents the duration for which the catalyst remains active and maintains stable performance under the reaction's operating conditions. The carbon yield refers to the amount of carbon produced or converted in a chemical reaction relative to the amount of catalyst used and it is expressed in terms of grams of carbon (gC) per gram of catalyst (gCat) .
[0059] The embodiments described hereinbefore may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment. A catalyst carrier and method as disclosed herein, may comprise at least one of the embodiments described hereinbefore. It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to 'an' item refers to one or more of those items. The term "comprising" is used in this specification to mean including the feature (s) or act(s) followed thereafter, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts.
Claims
CLAIMS1. A catalyst carrier, wherein the catalyst carrier is formed of an aluminium and silicon containing material that is selected from a group consisting of an inorganic side stream material, kaolin, metakaolin, bentonite, kaolinite, zeolite or any combination thereof, wherein the aluminium and silicon containing material is treated to form an Al-Si containing catalyst carrier.
2. The catalyst carrier according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic side stream material comprises an aluminosilicate .
3. The catalyst carrier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inorganic side stream material is a fly ash, bottom ash, slags, clay or any combination thereof .4 . The catalyst carrier according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the aluminium and silicon containing material is treated by an alkali activation using an alkali activator.
5. The catalyst carrier according to claim 4, wherein the alkali activator is a sodium sulphate, sodium hydroxide, KOH, Na2SiO3, K2S1O3 or any combination thereof .
6. The catalyst carrier according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an alkali activated material has a surface area of 10 - 50 m2 / g, 10 - 40 m2 / g, or 10 - 20 m2 / g.7 . The catalyst carrier according to any one of claims 4 - 6, wherein the catalyst carrier molar ratio Al:Si:Na is adjusted to 1:1:1 - 1:4:1.8 . The catalyst carrier according to any one of claims 4 - 7, wherein a metal precursor is added to the catalyst carrier during a preparation of the catalyst carrier or by an impregnation to the catalyst carrier .
9. The catalyst carrier according to any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the aluminium and siliconcontaining material is treated by a calcination or thermal treatment.
10. The catalyst carrier according to claim 9, wherein the catalyst carrier molar ratio Al: Si is ad- j usted to 1:1 - 2:1.
11. A method for producing a catalyst carrier, wherein the method comprises: providing an aluminium and silicon containing material that is selected from a group consisting of an inorganic side stream material, kaolin, metakaolin, bentonite, kaolinite, zeolite or any combination thereof, and treating the aluminium and silicon containing material to form an Al-Si containing catalyst carrier .
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the inorganic side stream material comprises an aluminosilicate .
13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the inorganic side stream is a fly ash, bottom ash, slags or clay.
14. The method according to any one of claims 11 - 13, wherein the method further comprises treating the aluminium and silicon containing by an alkali activation using an alkali activator.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the alkali activator is a sodium sulphate, sodium hydroxide, KOH, Na2SiO3, K2S1O3 or any combination thereof.
16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the alkali activated material has a surface area of 10 - 50 m2 / g, 10 - 40 m2 / g, or 10 - 20 m2 / g.
17. The method according to any one of claims 14 - 16, wherein the method further comprises adjusting Al:Si:Na molar ratio to 1:1:1 - 1:4:1.
18. The method according to any one of claims 14 - 17, wherein the method further comprises adding a metal precursor to the catalyst carrier.
19. The method according to any one of claims 11 - 13, wherein the method further comprises treating the aluminium and silicon containing material by a calcination or thermal treatment.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the calcination is carried out at a temperature of 500 - 800 °C or 600 - 700 °C.
21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the method further comprises adjusting the catalyst carrier molar ratio Al: Si to 1:1 - 2:1.
22. A method for treating the catalyst carrier according to any of preceding claims to form a catalyst for a chemical reaction forming at least a carbon product, wherein the method comprises treating the catalyst carrier by an addition of a metal precursor and / or by a calcination and / or reduction.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the catalyst carrier is treated by adding the metal precursor to form the catalyst, and the catalyst is activated before the reaction.
24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the catalyst carrier is treated by calcining at a temperature of 600 - 900 °C and by reducing at a temperature of 400 - 700 °C.