Methane selective oxidation by Au nanoparticles supported on BETA zeolites using O2 as the oxidant

Direct oxidation of methane to methanol utilizing molecular oxygen is an important yet challenging process. In this research, we report supporting Au nanoparticles on the surface of H-beta, which acts as the catalyst for oxidation of methane using molecular oxygen as the oxidant without co-reductants. This catalytic process resulted in the high-yield production of methanol, acetic acid, and formic acid as the major products. Furthermore, mechanism study indicated that the surface hydroxyl species or oxygen species on Au nanoparticle might be crucial for generating the active species for the reaction.