NONOXIDATIVE METHANE COUPLING WITH THE AID OF SOLID ELECTROLYTES

The electrocatalytic nonoxidative dimerization of methane to C2 hydrocarbons (ethane and ethylene) was studied at 700-750-degrees-C and atmospheric total pressure. The reaction was studied in the electrochemical cells: Ag\SCY\Ag and Ag\YSZ\Ag where SCY is proton-conducting ytterbium-doped strontia-ceria and YSZ is oxygen-ion conducting yttria-stabilized zirconia. Under open circuit, a steady state rate of methane consumption r0 was observed. Upon imposing a current or constant voltage through either electrolyte cell, the rate increased to a new steady state value r. The maximum ratio r/r0 was 8 for I = 50 mA and V = 2.80 V at 750-degrees-C for the single-chamber SCY cell. Upon interruption of the current, the rate returned to r0. The single-chamber cell can possibly replace a conventional catalyst support.