Photocatalytic oxidative coupling of methane to C3+ hydrocarbons via nanopore-confined microenvironments

Wenfeng Nie, Liwei Chen, Yuchen Hao (), Xiangjie Ge, Haodong Liu, Jiani Li, Jialin Wang, Zhao Wang, Hui-Zi Huang, Chao Sun, Cuncai Lv, Shangbo Ning, Linjie Gao, Yaguang Li, Shufang Wang, Bo Wang () and Jinhua Ye ()
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Wenfeng Nie: Hebei University
Liwei Chen: Qilu Institute of Technology
Yuchen Hao: Hebei University
Xiangjie Ge: Hebei University
Haodong Liu: Hebei University
Jiani Li: Beijing Institute of Technology
Jialin Wang: Hebei University
Zhao Wang: Hebei University
Hui-Zi Huang: Beijing Institute of Technology
Chao Sun: Beijing Institute of Technology
Cuncai Lv: Hebei University
Shangbo Ning: Hebei University
Linjie Gao: Hebei University
Yaguang Li: Hebei University
Shufang Wang: Hebei University
Bo Wang: Beijing Institute of Technology
Jinhua Ye: Hebei University

Nature Energy, 2025, vol. 10, issue 9, 1095-1106

Abstract: Abstract Photocatalytic oxidative coupling of methane (POCM) enables the production of value-added fuels and chemicals using renewable solar energy. Unfortunately, despite recent advances in the production of C2 chemicals (for example, ethane), POCM systems that selectively produce industrially useful and transportable C3+ hydrocarbons remain elusive. Here we report that Au-embedded porous TiO2, activated by steam during the POCM process, enables efficient and selective flow synthesis of propane with a productivity of 1.4 mmol h−1. At this productivity, we achieve a high propane selectivity of 91.3% and an apparent quantum efficiency of 39.7% at a wavelength of 365 nm. Mechanistic studies reveal that the tensile-strained Au and the nanopore-confined catalytic microenvironment jointly stabilize key ethane intermediates, boosting deeper C2–C1 coupling to form propane. Meanwhile, the steam-activated surface lattice oxygen on TiO2 accelerates hydrogen species transfer, thus enhancing POCM kinetics. This approach is economically feasible for practical application under concentrated solar light.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01834-5

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