Hydrophobic, Acid-Free Zeolite-Confined Pt-Cu Nanoalloys Break Activity-Selectivity Limits in Low-Temperature Methane-to-Methanol Oxidation.

ABSTRACT: The direct oxidation of methane (CH₄) to methanol (CH₃OH) remains a formidable challenge due to the inertness of CH₄ and the tendency of CH₃OH to overoxidize. Here, we report Pt-Cu nanoalloys encapsulated within hydrophobic, acid-free silicalite-1 (S-1) zeolite that breaks activity-selectivity limits in CH₄ oxidation to CH₃OH. The best catalyst exhibits a CH₃OH productivity of 134 mol of CH₃OH per mol of Pt per hour and a selectivity of 95% at 150 °C. Kinetic and spectroscopic studies revealed a sequential oxidation mechanism: CH₄ is first oxidized to methyl hydroperoxide (CH₃OOH) by in situ generated hydrogen peroxide, which subsequently converts to CH₃OH. The catalytic

SUBMITTER: Oda A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12371880 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature