High yield selective oxidation

Conversion of short alkanes (such as methane, ethane, propane) into higher-value oxygenated compounds is of interest in the quest for new feedstock replacing oil. Unfortunately, in oxidation reactions the oxidation of partially oxidized compounds is often favorable over oxidation of the initial reactant, resulting in low selectivities. For this reason it is important to explore new concepts in this field.

One stream of our projects focuses on the application of zeolite materials for selective oxidation of alkanes at low temperature (< 100°C). Challenges are to oxidize methane at room temperature and to remove partially oxygenated products from the catalyst without introducing over-oxidation.

Another set of projects investigates defective non-redox type oxides for activation of alkanes at high temperatures, for example to convert methane into synthesis gas (CO + H₂). Synthesis gas in turn is used to produce longer hydrocarbons.