Methane activation to oxygenates: a new fundamental study as a joint cooperation between our group, CNR-IOM, SISSA, University of Trieste and AREA Science park featured on the cover of "Small"

A study on innovative and sustainable materials for the transformation of methane into methanol, a valuable fuel in the context of the energy transition process, has been initiated by interdisciplinary research groups of institutions and universities in Friuli Venezia Giulia, including the CNR. The methodology, which was published in the scientific journal Small (published by Wiley) that dedicated its cover page to it, was described in detail in the journal. The activation of methane is achieved through a new low-cost material based on cerium and copper. The mechanical energy provided by the synthesis demonstrated the ability to generate Ce⁴⁺/Cu⁺ interfaces which resulted active in the activation of methane into partially oxidized intermediates at the temperature of 250 °C. The catalytic properties of this material were explored thanks to cutting-edge techniques that are available at the region's universities and research centres.