Effect of irradiation temperature on the radiolysis of methane in the presence of molecular sieve 5A

Abstract

The effect of irradiation temperature on the product yields in the radiation-induced chemical reaction of methane in the presence of molecular sieve 5A has been investigated. The yields of all products except for hydrogen increase linearly with irradiation temperature over the temperature range 150–300°C at atmospheric pressure. The apparent activation energies of C 2-C 5-alkane formation are around 2–5 kcal/mol, for C 2 and C 3-alkene formation about 10 kcal/mol. On the other hand, that of hydrogen formation give negative values. These results are compared with the results of homogeneous radiolysis of methane and also are interpreted on the basis of the data of the heterogeneous solid-gas phase catalytic reactions, and the reaction scheme is discussed.