Methanol Production from Methane Using Gold-Palladium Colloids as Catalysts

Liquid methanol is believed to have considerable potential as an alternative fuel, and is used as a feedstock to produce other chemicals. However, methane is converted to methanol by the production of synthesis gas at high temperatures and pressures, a process which is both expensive and energy intensive.

A team led by Graham J. Hutchings of the Cardiff Catalysis Institute and Christopher J. Kiely of Lehigh University used colloidal gold palladium (Au-Pd) nanoparticles to directly oxidize methane to methanol at low temperatures. Researchers said that for the reaction to work, the Au-Pd nanoparticles had to be free-floating colloids in a very weak hydrogen peroxide solution. They then injected pressurized methane and oxygen gas into the said solution, producing methanol.