STRUCTURE SENSITIVITY OF THE CATALYTIC OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF METHANE ON LANTHANUM OXIDE

The oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) has been found to be structure sensitive on La2O3 catalysts exhibiting different crystallite morphologies. Thin plates obtained by thermal decomposition of lanthanum nitrate at 650 °C are more selective on OCM reaction performed at 750 °C than the particles obtained by decomposition of the nitrate at 800 °C. It is assumed that the oxycarbonate observed is formed from the methane deep oxidation on the catalyst surface. This compound appears to act as an intermediate in the production of CO2 and is thus important hi the resulting selectivity. © 1990 J.C. Baltzer A.G. Scientific Publishing Company.