Solar-Energy-Mediated Methane Conversion

The conversion of methane to upgraded fuels and higher-value chemicals such as hydrogen, methanol, and olefins is a promising technology in the supply of chemicals and energy. However, current commercial methane conversion technology suffers from intense energy consumption. It is highly desirable to develop novel technologies for methane conversion with improved efficiency and lower cost. Solar energy, the most abundant and clean renewable energy, has been utilized as a new stimulus to drive methane conversion under mild conditions. In this review, recent achievements in solar-energy-mediated catalytic methane conversion are highlighted. We focus on the photocatalytic conversion of methane in photocatalytic systems, photoelectrochemical systems, and photoenhanced thermocatalytic systems. We discuss the challenges and prospects of future research on solar-energy-mediated methane conversion and aim to acquire in-depth understanding of the photo-mediated activation of the C-H bond and provide guidelines for the design of highly efficient catalysts.