MIT News December 4, 2024
Anthropogenic methane emissions, particularly from diffuse and dilute sources, pose a significant challenge for oxidation and valorization as existing methane oxidation routes rely on high temperatures or pressures. Researchers at MIT found that the catalytic coupling of alcohol oxidase with the iron-modified ZSM-5 (Fe-ZSM-5) zeolite catalyst, created a tandem methanotrophic system that partially oxidized methane at ambient temperatures and pressures. They showed that methane-to-formaldehyde selectivity could exceed 90% at room temperature. The generated formaldehyde was rapidly incorporated into a growing urea polymer. According to the researchers their work presents a sustainable route for methane oxidation… read more. Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Graphical abstract. Credit: Nature Catalysis, 04 December 2024