Exploring Ruthenium Metal-Support Interactions for the Low- Temperature Partial Oxidation of Methane

摘要

Industrially, the transformation of methane to syngas stands as an invaluable reaction, the latter products being converted downstream into valuable bulk chemicals such as methanol, ammonia, and synthetic fuels. The effective processing of methane will also limit the detrimental environmental impact of methane via industrial flaring. Steam or bireforming are common routes for methane conversion to syngas, but work at high temperatures because of their endothermic nature. Methane partial oxidation (CH4 + 1/2 O2 = CO + 2 H2) is exothermic and benefits from more favorable thermodynamics. Thus, there are significant incentives to explore catalysts that can partially oxidize the pollutant methane, with high selectivity and yield, into an industrially relevant feedstock.