Subnanometric MoO<sub>x</sub> clusters limit overoxidation during photocatalytic CH<sub>4</sub> conversion to oxygenates over TiO<sub>2</sub>.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 40328776.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-59465-z and PMC identifier 12056182.
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Abstract
Direct photocatalytic oxidation of methane to high-value-added oxygenated products remains a great challenge due to the unavoidable overoxidation of target products. Here, we report an efficient and highly selective TiO<sub>2</sub> photocatalyst anchored with subnanometric MoO<sub>x</sub> clusters for photocatalytic methane oxidation to organic oxygenates by oxygen. A high organic oxygenates yield of 3.8 mmol/g with nearly 100% selectivity was achieved after 2 h of light irradiation, resulting in a 13.3% apparent quantum yield at 365 nm. Mechanistic studies reveal a photocatalytic cycle for methane oxidation on the MoO<sub>x</sub> anchored TiO<sub>2</sub>, which not only largely inhibits the formation of hydroxyl and superoxide radicals and the overoxidation of oxygenate products but also facilitates the activation of the first carbon-hydrogen bond of methane. This work would promote the rational design of efficient non-noble metal catalysts for direct conversion of methane to high-value-added oxygenates.