New Catalyst Transforms Methane into Polymers Efficiently

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MIT chemical engineers created a hybrid catalyst converting methane to polymers at room temperature, breaking away from energy-intensive traditional methods.

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The groundbreaking catalyst pairs iron-modified aluminum silicate with alcohol oxidase enzyme, achieving over 90% selectivity in methanol to formaldehyde conversion.

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Methane's molecular structure traps more atmospheric heat than carbon dioxide, contributing 15% to global temperature increases.

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The self-sustaining system generates hydrogen peroxide as a byproduct, which cycles back into the zeolite for continuous methane-to-methanol conversion.

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Professor Michael Strano's team developed the water-suspended catalyst particles that absorb methane directly from surrounding air.

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The formaldehyde output combines with urea to produce urea-formaldehyde polymers, widely used in particle board and textile manufacturing.

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The research team envisions implementing the catalyst in natural gas pipelines to seal methane leaks and as surface coatings for emission capture.

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Professor Damien Debecker praised the achievement of combining two distinct catalyst families that typically require different operating conditions.

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The U.S. Department of Energy funded research utilized MIT.nano's characterization facilities, involving researchers Daniel Lundberg, Jimin Kim, Yu-Ming Tu, and Cody Ritt.

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Strano's lab continues exploring catalysts that could remove atmospheric CO2 and combine it with nitrate for urea production, aiming for a closed-loop system.

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