Strategies toward the sustainable electrochemical oxidation of methane to methanol

The direct conversion of methane to methanol is very prom-ising to achieve a decarbonized future but remains a great challenge. The electrochemical activation and partial oxidation of methane to methanol are highly attractive to enable the direct conversion in a sustainable and decentralized way. In this review, we present an overview of the main strategies that have allowed to gain mechanistic insight into the electro-chemical activation of methane. We discuss the developments of the direct and indirect electrochemical methane activation strategies as well as the opportunities and challenges toward the electrocatalytic conversion of methane to methanol.

Automated summary

Direct conversion of methane to methanol is promising but challenging. Electrochemical activation and partial oxidation of methane provide sustainable and decentralized solutions. Developments in different strategies and opportunities are discussed, along with challenges in electrocatalytic conversion.