Dehydrogenation Coupling of Methane Using Catalyst-Loaded Proton-Conducting Perovskite Hollow Fiber Membranes

Catalytic dehydrogenation coupling of methane (DCM) represents an effective way to convert natural gas to more useful C₂ products (C₂H₆, C₂H₄). In this work, BaCe_0.85Tb_0.05Co_0.1O_3-δ (BCTCo) perovskite hollow fiber membranes were fabricated by the combined phase inversion and sintering method. SrCe_0.95Yb_0.05O_3-δ (SCYb) perovskite oxide was loaded as a catalyst onto the inner hollow fiber membrane surface, which promoted the CH₄ conversion and the C₂ hydrocarbon selectivity during the DCM reaction. The introduction of steam into the methane feed gas mixture elevated the C₂ selectivity and yield due to the alleviation of coke deposition. Switching N₂ to air as the sweep gas further increased the C₂ selectivity and yield. However, the conversion of methane was limited by both the low permeability of the membrane and the insufficient catalytic activity of the catalyst, leading to low C₂ yield.