Chemical engineers at MIT have developed a hybrid catalyst that converts methane into polymers at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The research appears in Nature Catalysis. Methane contributes about 15% to global temperature increases, trapping more atmospheric heat than carbon dioxide due to its molecular structure. Current conversion methods require high temperatures and pressures, making them energy-intensive and expensive. The new catalyst combines iron-modified aluminum silicate (a zeolite) with alcohol oxidase enzyme in a two-step process. The zeolite converts methane to methanol, while the enzyme transforms methanol into formaldehyde with over 90% selectivity. A notable feature is the catalyst’s self-sustaining … Continue reading MIT Catalyst Converts Methane to Polymers at Room Temperature