Chinese scientists find a hidden atomic structure that unlocks methane
Researchers have identified a hidden atomic structure in nickel-based catalysts that enables the efficient conversion of methane into syngas. The study demonstrates that the catalyst reconstructs in situ during the reaction, providing new insights into industrial chemical processes.
Why it matters
Understanding the true active structure of catalysts can lead to more efficient and sustainable methods for producing industrial fuels and chemicals.
Partial oxidation of methane (POM) is considered a promising industrial method for producing syngas, a mixture commonly used to make fuels and chemicals. For years, scientists have assumed that metallic nickel (Ni) nanoparticles serve as the main active centers that drive this reaction. However, there has been an important unresolved question. The metallic Ni observed after a reaction may simply form when nickel oxide is reduced by syngas at high temperatures, rather than representing the species that actually performs the catalysis.
Nickel can change both its oxidation state and its atomic arrangement under the high-temperature redox conditions involved in POM. Until now, these changes have been difficult to track in detail, making it challenging to determine the true structure responsible for the reaction.
A Hidden Active Structure Forms During the Reaction
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