A promising plasma-catalytic approach towards single-step methane conversion to oxygenates at room temperature

Abstract Direct conversion of methane into chemicals and fuels under mild conditions has been considered as a ‘holy grail’ chemistry catalysis in the 21st century. Plasma-catalytic partial oxidation (POM) to higher-value liquid over supported transition metal catalysts (Ni/?-Al2O3, Cu/?-Al2O3 Fe/?-Al2O3) investigated co-axial dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor at room temperature atmospheric pressure. The selectivity oxygenates was 58.3% plasma POM reaction without catalyst, while combination DBD with enhanced up 71.5%. Of three catalysts, Fe/?-Al2O3 showed highest methanol 36.0% significant yield 4.7%, use improved C2 9.4%, which can be attributed presence more acid sites on surfaces Cu catalyst. possible pathways plasma-catalytic have explored by combined means electrical optical diagnostics, analysis gas products, well comprehensive catalyst characterization. plausible routes for production major oxygenate (methanol) proposed. surface CHx species are found critical synthesis; they formed through direct adsorption radicals generated gas-phase reactions or dissociation adsorbed CH4 surface.