Selective electrocatalytic conversion of methane to fuels and chemicals

Abstract

The increase in natural gas reserves makes methane a significant hydrocarbon feedstock. However, the direct catalytic conversion of methane into liquid fuels and useful chemicals remains a great challenge, and many studies have been devoted to this field in the past decades. Electrocatalysis is considered as an important alternative approach for the direct conversion of methane into value-added chemicals, although many other innovative methods have been developed. This review highlights recent advances in electrocatalytic conversion of methane to ethylene and methanol, two important chemicals. The electrocatalytic systems efficient for methane conversions are summarized with an emphasis on catalysts and electrolytes. The effects of reaction conditions such as the temperature and the acid-base property of the reaction medium are also discussed.