Publication date: 15th December 2025
Electrocatalytic partial oxidation of methane to methanol represents a great opportunity for a sustainable and decentralized valorization of CH4 using renewable energy sources. Direct electrochemical methane activation and oxidation have been investigated on different electrocatalysts, including metallic surfaces and metal oxides. However, a catalyst capable of carrying out this reaction with high selectivity, efficiency, and stability has not been discovered yet [1]. While results for the electrochemical methane oxidation on metallic surfaces have shown only CO2 production to date, studying this process on well-defined Pt surfaces allows for gaining key mechanistic insights. Interestingly, a recent study has revealed that methane electro-oxidation exhibits high structure sensitivity for Pt(100) terraces [2]. Herein, we systematically investigate Pt single crystals for electrochemical methane activation and conversion, with a special focus on Pt(100).
Controlling different parameters during electrochemical methane conversion is key to understand the structure-activity-selectivity relationships. We have investigated the effects of the adsorption time and potential, cooling atmosphere, and pH on electrochemical methane oxidation on Pt(100). Our results indicate that the applied activation potential affects the mechanism of the activation step. Interestingly, maximizing the OH coverage seems to enhance methane activation at different pH values. Complementing these results with computational studies allowed us to understand how adsorbed OH species affect the thermodynamics at the electrochemical interface. Our work provides a foundation for more in-depth investigations into the mechanism for electrochemical methane activation and oxidation.
G.C. and M.E.E. acknowledge ERC Consolidator Grant “ATOMISTIC”. Grant agreement ID: 101045778.
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