Photocatalytic oxidation of methane over CuO-decorated ZnO nanocatalysts

Catalytic oxidation of methane under mild conditions remains a challenge in the industrial catalytic processes. Herein, we report a highly efficient CuO/ZnO nanocomposite photocatalyst for methane oxidation under ambient conditions. It was found that both the CH 4 photooxidative activity and stability over ZnO are considerably improved by loading a tiny amount of CuO, though CuO itself exhibits no activity on methane oxidation. On the basis of the experimental results in conjunction with in situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies, the photocatalytic reaction process of CH 4 over CuO/ZnO composite microstructures is comprehensively discussed.