Transition metal-doped TiO2 nanowire catalysts for the oxidative coupling of methane

•Catalytic oxidative coupling of methane to produce ethylene and ethane•Transition metal-doped TiO2 nanowire catalysts•The OCM activity was improved with the transition metal doping.•The nanowire catalysts were highly stable at the high OCM reaction temperatures.

The catalytic oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) on transition metal-doped TiO2 nanowire catalysts was performed and the effects of metal dopants were studied. With transition metal doping, the electric and optical properties of nanowires were adjusted, which seemed to improve the catalytic activity and selectivity of the OCM reaction. A Mn-doped TiO2 nanowire catalyst exhibited the highest C2 yield with the highest (ethylene)/(ethane) ratio because of its moderate oxidation activity, while a highly active Rh-doped TiO2 nanowire catalyst converted methane into fully oxidized CO and CO2. The electric conductivity assessed by UV–vis absorption represented the oxidation activity of the nanowire catalysts.

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