Novel electrochemical route to cleaner fuel dimethyl ether.

ABSTRACT: Methanol, the simplest alcohol, and dimethyl ether, the simplest ether, are central compounds in the search for alternative "green" combustion fuels. In fact, they are generally considered as the cornerstones of the envisaged "Methanol Economy" scenario, as they are able to efficiently produce energy in an environmentally friendly manner. However, despite a massive amount of research in this field, the synthesis of dimethyl ether from liquid methanol has never so far been reported. Here we present a computational study, based on ab initio Molecular Dynamics, which suggests a novel synthesis route to methanol dehydration - leading thus to the dimethyl ether synthesis - through the application of strong electric fields. Besides proving the impressive catalytic effects afforded by the field,

SUBMITTER: Cassone G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5537294 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature