DIFFUSE REFLECTANCE INFRARED AND TRANSIENT STUDIES OF OXIDATIVE COUPLING OF METHANE OVER LI MGO CATALYST

In situ studies of surface species at steady and unsteady state were conducted using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and transient analysis to study the oxidative coupling of methane over a Li/MgO catalyst. The diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (DRIFTS) technique was employed to monitor the surface features of the catalyst and its interaction with adsorbates under reaction conditions. The effect Of CO2 on the catalyst activity and selectivity was also studied, and a model based on evidence of the heterogeneous steps and the intermediates involved in the reaction was proposed.