One step catalytic oxidation process of methane to methanol at low reaction temperature : A Brief Review

Abstract

Methanol has good combustion properties, so it is projected to be a profitable alternative for future fuel. Single step oxidation of methane to methanol can be chosen as an alternative process, because this process is more economical than the conventional two-step process. Although in the thermodynamic analysis shows that partial oxidation of methane to methanol can be carried out at room temperature, but the low selectivity and side reactions are still to be challenge. To getting the methanol as a product or intermediate, it is important to determine the suitable materials that can activate methane in an efficient way at low temperatures. This is difficult because the C-H bond in CH4 has the highest bond energy (104 kcal / mol) among other organic compounds. Some oxide and metal oxide surfaces can dissociate CH4 at room temperature, which opens the possibility for a direct conversion methane to methanol. And the addition of water to the system causes a big change in the selectivity of methane activation yielding which only produces adsorbed CHx fragments. In this paper we will review one step catalytic oxidation process basicly, solid heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of methane, and some suitable catalysts and materials that can support the reaction of the conversion of methane into methanol.