A light-driven selective protocol for on-demand methanol and formic acid syntheses with a recyclable GaN catalyst

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Photochemistry
• Green Chemistry

Background:

• Methane (CH4) is an abundant greenhouse gas and a potential feedstock.
• Efficient conversion of methane into valuable chemicals remains a significant challenge.
• Developing sustainable synthesis routes is crucial for reducing environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a protocol for the on-demand preparation of methanol and formic acid.
• To achieve selective photo-oxidation of methane using H2O and O2.
• To utilize gallium nitride (GaN) as a photocatalyst.

Main Methods:

• Selective photo-oxidation of methane (CH4) with water (H2O) to produce methanol.
• Selective photo-oxidation of methane (CH4) with water (H2O) and oxygen (O2) to produce formic acid.
• Utilizing GaN as a catalyst under specific photochemical conditions.
• Detailed experimental procedures for product quantification and radical analysis.

Main Results:

• Successful on-demand synthesis of methanol and formic acid from methane.
• Demonstration of selective conversion pathways based on reactant presence (H2O vs. H2O/O2).
• Accurate quantification methods for products and photoexcited intermediates.
• Procedure for scaling up the methane conversion process.

Conclusions:

• The developed protocol enables efficient and selective conversion of methane into valuable chemicals.
• The GaN-catalyzed photo-oxidation offers a promising route for sustainable chemical production.
• The study provides a scalable and quantifiable method for methanol and formic acid synthesis from methane.