Direct conversion of methane into methanol over MoO3/SiO2 catalyst in an excess amount of water vapor

What is it about?

Well-dispersed MoO3 on SiO2 showed a high activity for partial oxidation of methane (mixed with oxygen in a molar ratio of 9:1) into methanol and formaldehyde at 873 K in an excess amount of water vapor, which is attributed to the formation of silicomolybdic acid (SMA) on the catalyst surface during reaction. One of the roles of SMA for the partial oxidation of methane is proved to depress the successive oxidation of methanol and formaldehyde into carbon oxides.

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Why is it important?

One of the most attractive studies in chemical engineering is the direct conversion of methane into methanol. The depressive role of the SMA like structures on the successive oxidation of methanol, found in this study, is a important information in this field.