Syngas Production from Methane Reforming by Integrating Aqueous Microdroplets with Heterogeneous ZnO

Charged water microdroplets have manifested advantages in activating inert C₁ molecules, thanks to the strong localized electric field at the gas-water interface reaching dozens of MV cm^-1. However, the recombination tendency of the positive and negative charges diminishes their oxidation and reduction capacity. In this study, we report methane reforming with CO₂, leveraging •OH and H• derived from positive and negative charges of water microdroplets, respectively. This methane reforming transitions from wet methane reforming to dry methane reforming by integrating the water microdroplets with heterogeneous ZnO. The ZnO stabilizes H• radicals and suppresses the reverse reaction between •OH and H•, thereby facilitating CO₂ reduction to CO while retaining a high activity for CH₄ activation. Furthermore, the cooperation between water microdroplets and the ZnO catalyst leads to a 4.5-time increase in CO formation from methane reforming with CO₂. Our findings provide a strategy for the holistic utilization of the opposite charges taken by water microdroplets.