New catalyst converts greenhouse gas methane into polymer
December 4, 2024 – While methane gas is less abundant than carbon dioxide, it has a far greater impact on global warming due to its molecular structure, which traps significantly more heat in the atmosphere.
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed a novel catalyst capable of converting methane into useful polymers, offering a potential solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The new catalyst operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, making it easier and more cost-effective to implement in locations where methane is emitted, such as power plants and livestock facilities. In their study, the researchers used a zeolite – a type of iron-modified aluminium silicate – paired with the enzyme alcohol oxidase, which is commonly found in bacteria, fungi, and plants and is used to oxidize alcohols.
This hybrid catalyst enables a two-step reaction: the zeolite first converts methane into methanol, and the enzyme then oxidizes methanol into formaldehyde. The reaction also produces hydrogen peroxide, which is recycled as an oxygen source to sustain the conversion of methane into methanol.
Once formaldehyde is generated, the researchers demonstrated that it can be used to produce polymers by adding urea. This resinous polymer, known as urea-formaldehyde, is widely utilized in products like particleboard, textiles, and other materials.
The team also envisions integrating the catalyst into pipelines used for transporting natural gas. In such applications, the catalyst could create a polymer sealant to repair cracks in the pipes in the event of a leak.
The research was published in the December issue of Nature Catalysis under the title ‘Concerted Methane Fixation at Ambient Temperature and Pressure Mediated by an Alcohol Oxidase and Fe-ZSM-5 Catalytic Couple.’
