Nanostructured Photocatalysts for the Production of Methanol from Methane and Water
- 2 March 2021
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Wiley in ChemSusChem
- Vol. 14 (9), 2023-2033
- https://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.202100192
Abstract
The direct photocatalytic conversion of methane into methanol with water at room temperature and pressure has attracted particular attention in recent decades. Valuable insight has been obtained into the reaction mechanisms and the key descriptors that control photoactivity and selectivity. This Minireview highlights the different efforts that have been undergone on the design of nanostructured photocatalytic systems to enhance the selectivity to methanol. The effect of structural and electronic aspects, such as surface area, morphologies, crystal facets, redox properties, metal doping, and heterojunctions, on photocatalytic performance, are discussed. The roles of free hydroxyl radicals and/or hydroxy groups for methane activation on the photocatalyst surface are also presented. This Minireview aims to provide an insight into the optimal properties and configurations of the nanostructured photocatalytic materials for tuning their reactivity on the selective oxidation of CH4 to methanol with water. The remaining challenges and promising directions for bringing this technology a step closer to real‐world application are also highlighted.Keywords
Funding Information
- Generalitat de Catalunya (2017-SGR-1406)
This publication has 67 references indexed in Scilit:
- Comparison of dealumination of zeolites beta, mordenite and ZSM-5 by treatment with acid under microwave irradiationMicroporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2011
- Crystal facet engineering of semiconductor photocatalysts: motivations, advances and unique propertiesChemical Communications, 2011
- Warming caused by cumulative carbon emissions towards the trillionth tonneNature, 2009
- When will fossil fuel reserves be diminished?Energy Policy, 2009
- Anatase TiO2 single crystals with a large percentage of reactive facetsNature, 2008
- Advanced Oxidation Processes for Organic Contaminant Destruction Based on the Fenton Reaction and Related ChemistryCritical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2006
- Partial oxidation of methane to formaldehyde and methanol using molecular oxygen over Fe-ZSM-5Applied Catalysis A: General, 2004
- New developments in the photocatalytic conversion of methane to methanolCatalysis Today, 2000
- Photocatalytic conversion of methaneCatalysis Today, 1997
- Reporting physisorption data for gas/solid systems with special reference to the determination of surface area and porosity (Recommendations 1984)Pure and Applied Chemistry, 1985