Research Progress of Catalysts and Initiators for Promoting the Cracking of Endothermic Hydrocarbon Fuels

Abstract

Catalytic/initiated cracking of endothermic hydrocarbon fuels is an effective technology for cooling a hypersonic aircraft with a high Mach number (over 5). Catalysts and initiators can promote fuel cracking at low temperatures, increase fuel conversion and the heat sink capacity, and suppress coke deposition, thereby reducing waste heat. Catalysts mainly include metal oxide catalysts, noble metal catalysts and metal nanoparticles, zeolite catalysts, nanozeolite catalysts, and coating catalysts. Moreover, initiators roughly include nitrogenous compounds, oxygenated compounds, and hyperbranched polymer initiators. In this review, we aim to summarize the catalysts and initiators for cracking endothermic hydrocarbon fuels and their mechanisms for promoting cracking. This review will facilitate the development of the synthesis and exploration of catalysts and initiators.