Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
07:17
Non-equilibrium Microwave Plasma for Efficient High Temperature Chemistry
Published on: August 1, 2017
14.8K
Mild-condition methane conversion with oxygen by an ultrasound-catalysis coupling process
Yunlong Zhang1,2, Qiming Bing1, Yunchuan Tu1
1State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China.
Nature Communications
|May 4, 2026
Summary
Ultrasound-catalysis converts methane (CH4) to oxygenates using platinum nanoparticles. This method enhances active site exposure and cavitation for efficient C-H cleavage and C-O coupling under mild conditions.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Green Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Methane (CH4) oxidation to valuable chemicals is challenging due to CH4 inertness and O2 low reactivity.
- Mild-condition conversion requires efficient catalysts and activation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an ultrasound-catalysis coupling strategy for efficient CH4 conversion.
- To utilize earth-abundant oxygen (O2) as an oxidant with Pt/CNT catalyst.
Main Methods:
- Employed ultrasound-catalysis with carbon nanotube-supported platinum nanoparticles (Pt/CNT).
- Investigated CH4 oxidation under mild conditions (5 °C, 0.1 MPa).
Main Results:
- Achieved a superior formation rate of 3727 μmol gcat.-1 h-1 for C1-2 oxygenates.
- Obtained 92% selectivity for oxygenates, surpassing previous low-temperature methods.
- Ultrasound enhanced active Pt site exposure and facilitated reactant adsorption.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound-catalysis coupling is highly effective for mild-condition CH4 oxidation.
- Ultrasonic cavitation creates microenvironments promoting CH4 activation and mass transfer.
- This strategy offers a promising route for producing high-value oxygenates from methane.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Microbes and Methanogenesis
105
Methanogenesis is a critical microbial process in anaerobic ecosystems responsible for the biological production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas and valuable biofuel. This metabolic pathway is primarily facilitated by methanogenic archaea, which thrive in anoxic environments such as wetlands, sediments, and animal gastrointestinal tracts. The absence of oxygen in these habitats prevents aerobic respiration, thereby favoring alternative biochemical pathways for organic matter degradation.In...
105
02:36Oxymercuration-Reduction of Alkenes
8.3K
Oxymercuration–reduction of alkenes is one of the major reactions converting alkenes to alcohols. It involves the hydration of alkenes with mercuric acetate in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and water, forming an organomercury adduct. This is followed by a demercuration step in which the adduct is reduced to an alcohol using sodium borohydride.
8.3K
01:46Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis
10.2K
In ozonolysis, ozone is used to cleave a carbon–carbon double bond to form aldehydes and ketones, or carboxylic acids, depending on the work-up.
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.
10.2K
01:25Microbial Interactions: Mutualism
93
Mutualism is a symbiotic interaction in which all participating organisms benefit. These relationships can be obligate or facultative and are fundamental to ecosystem functions across diverse biological systems.Plant–Fungi MutualismOne well-known example is the association between plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi, such as Rhizophagus species. The fungal hyphae penetrate the root hairs and the epidermis, forming an extensive hyphal network that establishes a symbiotic association. Through...
93
03:08Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes
10.2K
In addition to the oxymercuration–demercuration method, which converts the alkenes to alcohols with Markovnikov orientation, a complementary hydroboration-oxidation method yields the anti-Markovnikov product. The hydroboration reaction, discovered in 1959 by H.C. Brown, involves the addition of a B–H bond of borane to an alkene giving an organoborane intermediate. The oxidation of this intermediate with basic hydrogen peroxide forms an alcohol.
10.2K
02:44Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
11.2K
Alkenes are converted to 1,2-diols or glycols through a process called dihydroxylation. It involves the addition of two hydroxyl groups across the double bond with two different stereochemical approaches, namely anti and syn. Dihydroxylation using osmium tetroxide progresses with syn stereochemistry.
11.2K