Stepwise methane to methanol conversion: Effect of copper loading on the formation of active species in copper-exchanged mordenite

Abstract This work investigates the influences of Cu content, Si/Al ratio, and sample preparation method on the active Cu species in mordenite (MOR). The Cu/MOR prepared by multiple Cu-exchange procedures showed an optimum Cu/Al ratio for the formation of the most active species for methanol formation. XANES spectra indicated that isolated Cu+ species were formed after CH4 interaction and were re-oxidized under a flow of water steam. The Cu-MOR samples obtained by ion-exchange method presented well-dispersed CuO in the zeolite pores, while samples obtained by impregnation method presented segregated CuO and were inactive for CH4 activation. The methodology used for in situ UV–vis spectra analyses indicated that different Cu species were active for CH4 oxidation. Isolated Cu2+ species were not involved in CH4 activation at temperatures lower than 300 °C. The isolated Cu2+ species were partially hydrolyzed by O2 treatment and species like [CuOH]+ and [CuOx]n or polynuclear Cu2+-oxyhydroxide were formed. The formation of polynuclear species in substitution of di-copper would impact the specific activity with the Cu content and decrease the activity for methanol production.