Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a highly selective catalyst capable of converting methane to methanol in a single step, a significant advance over traditional methods that require multiple steps and higher temperatures. The catalyst, which combines palladium, cerium oxide, and a crucial interfacial carbon layer, operates at relatively low temperatures and achieves 100% selectivity for methanol. This technology could be applied to utilize isolated natural gas reserves and support carbon-neutral energy solutions.
For more details, visit Phys org: