An Attempt to Selectively Oxidize Methane over Supported Gold Catalysts

The potential of supported gold catalysts for the selective gas-phase oxidation of methane to methanol with molecular oxygen was investigated. A broad range of supported gold-based catalyst materials was synthesized using reducible and non-reducible support materials. Although the formation of small gold nanoparticles was established for all catalyst materials, only a very low activity for the total oxidation of methane was observed, at temperatures > 250 A degrees C. Since no traces of partial oxidation products, such as methanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, methyl formate, dimethyl ether and CO, were observed it was concluded that supported gold catalysts are not able to selectively oxidize methane to methanol under these experimental conditions. A broad range of gold-based catalyst materials was screened for the selectively oxidation of methane into partial oxidation products. The formation of small gold nanoparticles was established for all catalyst materials, however solely a low catalytic activity for the total combustion of methane was accomplished and no traces of partial oxidation products were observed.