Conversion of methane to C2 and C3 hydrocarbons over TiO2/ZSM-5 core–shell particles in an electric field

Abstract

Catalytic conversion of methane (CH₄) to light olefins is motivated by increasing recoverable reserves of methane resources, abundantly available in natural gas, shale gas, and gas hydrates. The development of effective processes for conversion of CH₄ to light olefins is still a great challenge. The interface of ZSM-5 zeolite and TiO₂ nanoparticles is successfully constructed in their core–shell particles via mechanochemical treatment with high shear stress. The oxidative coupling of methane at a low temperature under application of an electric field may be induced by the O₂ activation via electrons running through the surface of TiO₂ located at the interface of TiO₂ and zeolite particles. Moreover, C₃H₆ was also produced by the ethylene to propylene (ETP) reaction catalyzed by Brønsted acid sites in the ZSM-5 zeolite within core–shell particles.