(337cm) Advancing Concepts for High-Yield Syngas-Free Methane Valorization

I am motivated by the opportunities within the chemical and energy industries to develop more sustainable processes for commodity chemicals and energy carriers. An important example is the scale-flexible conversion of natural gas to useful liquid products, especially given the decentralized and remote nature of many underutilized methane sources. Through combinations of catalysis and process engineering, interesting approaches to this challenge can be conceptualized. In particular, my doctoral research is centered around applying new concepts to more traditional catalysis development for methane partial oxidation to oxygenates. For example, in addition to developing catalysts that are capable of activating methane at low-mid temperature, strategies that prevent severe product degradation are essential to actually obtain the desired products in practical yields. In this work, a multi-disciplinary approach is required to more holistically address the challenges of this chemistry. Activity-structure studies are an important component to understanding important factors in catalyst design and relationship to reaction conditions. The methodology used can be transferable to other important but challenging reactions involving thermodynamic and kinetic limitations.