MgO Nanostructures on Au(111) as Catalysts for Low-Temperature Methane Activation and C–C Coupling

The selective conversion of methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) under mild conditions remains challenging due to strong C-H bonds and catalyst coking. We systematically investigated submonolayer MgO nanostructures on Au(111), where two-dimensional (2D) MgO islands with stable Mg-O-Au interfaces catalyze low-temperature CH<sub>4</sub> activation and C-C coupling. Upon CH<sub>4</sub> exposure at 300 K, surface-bound CH<sub><i>x</i></sub> and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub><i>x</i></sub> intermediates formed and persisted postevacuation, indicating robust CH<sub><i>x</i></sub>-O-Mg linkages. Temperature-programmed studies revealed that C-H activation and C-C coupling intensify with heat: the CH<sub><i>x</i></sub> signal grew continuously while the C<sub>2</sub>H<sub><i>x</i></sub> signal reached a plateau at 400-500 K. O 1s and Mg 2p attenuation confirmed adsorption of the hydrocarbons on MgO. Catalytic tests at 500 K yielded C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub> (70%) and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> (30%) without coking, underscoring MgO's role as an active catalyst. These results offer new design principles for developing coke-resistant and low-temperature methane upgrading catalysts.

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Publication Details

Journal
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Published
2025-07-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c01471
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Catalytic Processes in Materials Science
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.52
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article

MgO Nanostructures on Au(111) as Catalysts for Low-Temperature Methane Activation and C–C Coupling

Irene Barba-Nieto, Kasala Prabhakar Reddy, Iradwikanari Waluyo, Adrian Hunt et al.
1 citations
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Catalytic Processes in Materials Science
0.52
article

MgO Nanostructures on Au(111) as Catalysts for Low-Temperature Methane Activation and C–C Coupling

Irene Barba-Nieto, Kasala Prabhakar Reddy, Iradwikanari Waluyo, Adrian Hunt, Arephin Islam, José A. Rodríguez, Pedro J. Ramírez
article en
1 citations

Abstract

The selective conversion of methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) under mild conditions remains challenging due to strong C-H bonds and catalyst coking. We systematically investigated submonolayer MgO nanostructures on Au(111), where two-dimensional (2D) MgO islands with stable Mg-O-Au interfaces catalyze low-temperature CH<sub>4</sub> activation and C-C coupling. Upon CH<sub>4</sub> exposure at 300 K, surface-bound CH<sub><i>x</i></sub> and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub><i>x</i></sub> intermediates formed and persisted postevacuation, indicating robust CH<sub><i>x</i></sub>-O-Mg linkages. Temperature-programmed studies revealed that C-H activation and C-C coupling intensify with heat: the CH<sub><i>x</i></sub> signal grew continuously while the C<sub>2</sub>H<sub><i>x</i></sub> signal reached a plateau at 400-500 K. O 1s and Mg 2p attenuation confirmed adsorption of the hydrocarbons on MgO. Catalytic tests at 500 K yielded C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>6</sub> (70%) and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> (30%) without coking, underscoring MgO's role as an active catalyst. These results offer new design principles for developing coke-resistant and low-temperature methane upgrading catalysts.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry LettersVol. 16(30)
IDEXX Laboratories (France) (FR), Brookhaven National Laboratory (US), Division of Chemistry (US), Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (US), National Synchrotron Light Source II, Universidad Central de Venezuela (VE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 36%
Catalytic Processes in Materials Science
0.52
DOISourceOpenAlex
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MgO Nanostructures on Au(111) as Catalysts for Low-Temperature Methane Activation and C–C Coupling — Irene Barba-Nieto, Kasala Prabhakar Reddy, et al. · The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS