Low-Temperature Transformation of Methane to Methanol on Pd1O4 Single Sites Anchored on the Internal Surface of Microporous Silicate

Direct conversion of methane to chemical feedstocks such as methanol under mild conditions is a challenging but ideal solution for utilization of methane. Pd1O4 single-sites anchored on the internal surface of micropores of a microporous silicate exhibit high selectivity and activity in transforming CH4 to CH3OH at 50-95 degrees C in aqueous phase through partial oxidation of CH4 with H2O2. The selectivity for methanol production remains at 86.4%, while the activity for methanol production at 95 degrees C is about 2.78 molecules per Pd1O4 site per second when 2.0wt% CuO is used as a co-catalyst with the Pd1O4@ZSM-5. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that the reaction toward methanol production is highly favorable compared to formation of a byproduct, methyl peroxide.