Selective conversion of methane to ethane and hydrogen over In/molecular-sieve-3A catalyst

Abstract

Direct conversion of methane to valuable chemicals has gained much attention. Besides, silica-supported liquid–metal indium catalysts (In/SiO₂) for the direct dehydrogenative conversion of methane (DCM) to higher hydrocarbons with 4% yield and 70% selectivity at 1173 K have been reported. In this work, In catalyst was found to be an excellent catalyst for the DCM reaction and selective formation of ethane and hydrogen without carbon deposition at the lower temperature of 873 K. The catalytic activity of In was strongly depended on supports at 873 K, and the molecular-sieve-3A (MS3A)-support calcined at 1123 K was more effective than the SiO₂ support. Selective conversion of methane to ethane and hydrogen proceeded on the In/MS3A catalyst. The role of the MS3A support in the DCM reaction is discussed.