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Oxidative dimerization of methane over lithium-promoted zinc oxide

Conference · · Prepr. Pap., Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5963864

The heterogeneously catalyzed oxidative dimerization of methane has received considerable attention in recent years. A variety of material have now been examined which include the main group oxides, the rate-earth oxides and a number of doped transition and main group metal oxides. Work in this laboratory has focused primarily on the latter materials, and in particular Li-doped MgO. Over this material it is postulated that methane is activated via hydrogen atom abstraction by (Li/sup +/O/sup -/) centers which are present under reaction conditions on the surface of the catalyst. Subsequent steps in the mechanism involve the release of these radicals from the surface into the homogeneous gas phase where they then undergo coupling reactions to produce the selective C/sub 2/ products. The formation of (Li/sup +/O/sup -/) centers has also been reported on Li-doped ZnO. This material is considered to be a non-basic semiconductor, whereas, MgO is considered to be a basic insulator. Li-doped ZnO was chosen for examination not only because of its ability to produce potentially active centers, but also to determine the effect of basicity on the catalytic properties. Recent work by Matsuura et al. has shown that this material is indeed active for the oxidative dimerization of methane. In the present study, this material will be examined in further detail in an effort to identify the active site on the catalyst surface and to determine the overall mechanism for final product formation.

Research Organization:
Texas A M Univ., College Station (USA)
OSTI ID:
5963864
Report Number(s):
CONF-870802-
Journal Information:
Prepr. Pap., Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Prepr. Pap., Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem.; (United States) Vol. 32:3; ISSN ACFPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English