Efficient photocatalytic conversion of CH4 into ethanol with O2 over nitrogen vacancy-rich carbon nitride at room temperature

Abstract

A record ethanol production rate of 281.6 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ for the photocatalytic conversion of methane over nitrogen vacancy-rich carbon nitride at room temperature was achieved. Systematic studies demonstrate that the CH₄ was activated by the highly reactive ˙OH radicals generated, via H₂O₂, from the photo-reduction of O₂ with H₂O.