Electrochemical activation and conversion of methane
Image credit: J.A. Arminio-Ravelo and María Escudero-Escribano, Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry (2021).
Electrochemical methane activation and direct conversion to methanol is highly attractive – a dream reaction that would convert a greenhouse gas into a valuable liquid fuel in a dream device, on-site, and powered by renewable electricity. However, sustainable C-H activation and direct methane to methanol conversion under ambient conditions remain great fundamental challenges.
We aim to develop new methods for electrochemical methane activation and partial oxidation and control the structure of the electrochemical interface and the catalytically active site to tune selectivity for the synthesis of valuable fuels and chemicals (such as methanol) from methane. Within the ERC Consolidator Grant Project ATOMISTIC, we aim to elucidate the design principles and unveil the structure-reactivity-selectivity relations and the molecular mechanism for this reaction as well as the atomic-scale structure of the catalyst materials.
Key publications:
J.A. Arminio-Ravelo, M. Escudero-Escribano*, “Strategies toward the sustainable oxidation of methane to methanol”, Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 2021, 30, 100489.