Selective oxidation of methane to methanol using AuPd@ZIF-8

Selective methane conversion to alcohol derivatives remains an open challenge. Here, bimetallic catalyst, AuPd@ZIF-8, has been synthesized and demonstrated as an excellent catalyst in the presence of H2O2 and O2 under mild condition. Specifically, the yield for liquid oxygenated and methanol are 83.0 and 21.7 mmol gAuPd - 1 h-1, with selectivity up to 89.5% and 21.9%, respectively. This high productivity may be due to the synergistic effect between AuPd nanoparticles and ZIF-8 framework. Oxygen-based isotopic tests reveal that oxygen serve as oxidants for this oxidation process. Methyl hydroperoxide is the primary product at early stage, which can be further oxidized.

Automated summary

Selective conversion of methane into alcohol derivatives remains a challenge. A bimetallic catalyst, AuPd@ZIF-8, has been synthesized and shown to be highly effective under mild conditions, with high yields and selectivity attributed to the synergistic effect between AuPd nanoparticles and ZIF-8 framework.