Water enables mild oxidation of methane to methanol on gold single-atom catalysts

Laihao Luo, Jie Luo, Hongliang Li (), Fangning Ren, Yifei Zhang, Andong Liu, Wei-Xue Li () and Jie Zeng ()
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Laihao Luo: University of Science and Technology of China
Jie Luo: University of Science and Technology of China
Hongliang Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Fangning Ren: University of Science and Technology of China
Yifei Zhang: University of Science and Technology of China
Andong Liu: University of Science and Technology of China
Wei-Xue Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Jie Zeng: University of Science and Technology of China

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract As a 100% atom-economy process, direct oxidation of methane into methanol remains as a grand challenge due to the dilemma between activation of methane and over-oxidation of methanol. Here, we report that water enabled mild oxidation of methane into methanol with >99% selectivity over Au single atoms on black phosphorus (Au1/BP) nanosheets under light irradiation. The mass activity of Au1/BP nanosheets reached 113.5 μmol gcatal−1 in water pressured with 33 bar of mixed gas (CH4:O2 = 10:1) at 90 °C under light irradiation (1.2 W), while the activation energy was 43.4 kJ mol−1. Mechanistic studies revealed that water assisted the activation of O2 to generate reactive hydroxyl groups and •OH radicals under light irradiation. Hydroxyl groups reacted with methane at Au single atoms to form water and CH3* species, followed by oxidation of CH3* via •OH radicals into methanol. Considering the recycling of water during the whole process, we can also regard water as a catalyst.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21482-z

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