XPS characterization of zeolite catalyst in plasma catalytic methane conversion

Direct plasma methane conversion to higher hydrocarbons using pure methane feed is almost impossible without using zeolite. In the presence of zeolite, such direct conversion leads to a very high yield of higher hydrocarbons. The use of zeolite not only inhibits the formation of non-selective carbon black and plasma-polymerized films but also significantly increases the selectivity of light hydrocarbons during plasma methane conversion with dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). The DBD plasma-used zeolite has been characterized by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and suggests the DBD plasmas have led to reactions within the channel of zeolite. The present investigation gives us more supporting results for the proposed mechanism of plasma-promoted catalysis. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.