11C-radiolabeling study of methanol decomposition on copper oxide modified mesoporous SBA-15 silica

► Novel 11C-labeling technique for methanol decomposition on CuO/SBA-15 investigation. ► Methyl formate forms via dimmerization of formaldehyde molecules on the strongest sites. ► Dimethoxymethane forms with the activity of weakly adsorbed methanol molecules. ► CO2 forms via dioxymethylene intermediates by oxygen transfer from the copper oxide.