POMASAC · Photoelectrochemical Oxidation of Methane using Single Atom Catalysts

Photoelectrochemical Oxidation of Methane using Single Atom Catalysts

Europe’s move towards climate-neutral energy and chemical production depends on finding better ways to use simple but stubborn molecules such as methane (or unactivated sp3 C-H bonds containing alkanes) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Methane is widely available as the main component of natural gas, while CO2 is an unavoidable by-product of many industrial activities. Both are chemically stable, which makes their conversion into useful products difficult and energy-intensive. Developing catalysts that can activate these molecules efficiently, using less energy and fewer critical metals, remains a major scientific challenge. The POMASAC project was designed to address this challenge by developing new catalyst materials in which metals are used in very small amounts, particularly as single atoms. The work focused on metal oxides and carbon-based materials, including carbon nitride single-atom catalysts, where individual metal atoms are stabilized within a solid support. These systems offer a way to maximize catalytic efficiency while reducing material costs. The project also explored novel combustion-based synthesis approaches as a fast and flexible method to create such single-site catalysts in both oxide and carbon-based organic frameworks. The overall objective of the project was to understand how these catalysts work at a fundamental level during light and electricity-assisted (photoelectrochemical) alkane activation and CO2-related reactions. Rather than targeting an immediate commercial technology, the project focused on identifying clear links between catalyst structure, atomic arrangement (especially in bridging organometallic homogeneous catalysts to heterogeneous single atom catalysts), and chemical behaviour, with the aim of generating design principles that are directly relevant to future industrial catalyst development. This knowledge provides a solid basis for future development of more efficient and sustainable catalytic processes. By strengthening the scientific understanding of single-atom and oxide-based catalysts, POMASAC contributes to Europe’s long-term goals in sustainable chemistry and supports future innovation in low-carbon energy and chemical technologies.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union