CH4 conversion over Ni/HZSM-5 catalyst in the absence of oxygen: decomposition or dehydroaromatization?

The different chemical states and locations of Ni species in HZSM-5 result in different directions of CH4 reaction. Supported Ni clusters caused complete CH4 decomposition, while Ni-exchanged sites anchored at Bronsted acid sites, can appropriately activate CH4 into CHx species which are important precursors to produce aromatics. This study suggests a catalyst construction strategy for selective conversion of CH4 towards value-added chemicals by placing active metal at specific sites.