Photocatalytic methane conversion to high-value chemicals

Methane has a substantial and widespread reserve on Earth. As a very abundant carbon and hydrogen source, as well as an energy vector, upgrading methane to higher-value fuels and chemicals (carbon oxygenates, C2+ hydrocarbons, etc.) is a promising technology in the supply of energy and chemicals by...

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Main Authors: Youxun Xu, Enqi Chen, Junwang Tang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tsinghua University Press 2024-03-01
Series:Carbon Future
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/CF.2023.9200004
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author Youxun Xu
Enqi Chen
Junwang Tang
author_facet Youxun Xu
Enqi Chen
Junwang Tang
author_sort Youxun Xu
collection DOAJ
description Methane has a substantial and widespread reserve on Earth. As a very abundant carbon and hydrogen source, as well as an energy vector, upgrading methane to higher-value fuels and chemicals (carbon oxygenates, C2+ hydrocarbons, etc.) is a promising technology in the supply of energy and chemicals by a low-carbon process. Due to the stable and inert nature of methane, activating and converting the molecule is extremely challenging. Currently, commercial methane conversion technology operates at high temperatures and/or high pressure, suffering from intense energy consumption and high capital investment. Photocatalysis, using photons as the only energy input, can operate at mild temperatures and under atmospheric pressure, which is a promising and green technology for methane conversion to high-value products. In this review, fundamental understandings of photocatalytic methane conversion and product selectivity involving different oxidants are discussed. Then recent advances in photocatalysts for methane conversion to hydrocarbons and oxygenates are detailed, including the relevant reaction mechanism and reaction pathways. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for photocatalytic methane conversion will be discussed based on the current progress and fundamental understanding.
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spelling doaj-art-a04b99ce040a4fb1b5f8d583384c53dd2025-08-20T02:40:33ZengTsinghua University PressCarbon Future2960-05612960-04212024-03-0111920000410.26599/CF.2023.9200004Photocatalytic methane conversion to high-value chemicalsYouxun Xu0Enqi Chen1Junwang Tang2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2323-5510Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UKDepartment of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UKDepartment of Chemical Engineering, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UKMethane has a substantial and widespread reserve on Earth. As a very abundant carbon and hydrogen source, as well as an energy vector, upgrading methane to higher-value fuels and chemicals (carbon oxygenates, C2+ hydrocarbons, etc.) is a promising technology in the supply of energy and chemicals by a low-carbon process. Due to the stable and inert nature of methane, activating and converting the molecule is extremely challenging. Currently, commercial methane conversion technology operates at high temperatures and/or high pressure, suffering from intense energy consumption and high capital investment. Photocatalysis, using photons as the only energy input, can operate at mild temperatures and under atmospheric pressure, which is a promising and green technology for methane conversion to high-value products. In this review, fundamental understandings of photocatalytic methane conversion and product selectivity involving different oxidants are discussed. Then recent advances in photocatalysts for methane conversion to hydrocarbons and oxygenates are detailed, including the relevant reaction mechanism and reaction pathways. Finally, the challenges and perspectives for photocatalytic methane conversion will be discussed based on the current progress and fundamental understanding.https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/CF.2023.9200004photocatalysismethaneselective oxidationhydrocarbonsoxygenates
spellingShingle Youxun Xu
Enqi Chen
Junwang Tang
Photocatalytic methane conversion to high-value chemicals
Carbon Future
photocatalysis
methane
selective oxidation
hydrocarbons
oxygenates
title Photocatalytic methane conversion to high-value chemicals
title_full Photocatalytic methane conversion to high-value chemicals
title_fullStr Photocatalytic methane conversion to high-value chemicals
title_full_unstemmed Photocatalytic methane conversion to high-value chemicals
title_short Photocatalytic methane conversion to high-value chemicals
title_sort photocatalytic methane conversion to high value chemicals
topic photocatalysis
methane
selective oxidation
hydrocarbons
oxygenates
url https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/CF.2023.9200004
work_keys_str_mv AT youxunxu photocatalyticmethaneconversiontohighvaluechemicals
AT enqichen photocatalyticmethaneconversiontohighvaluechemicals
AT junwangtang photocatalyticmethaneconversiontohighvaluechemicals