A series of Cu-ZSM-5 zeolites was prepared by varying nature of the charge compensating cation, copper precursor, copper loading, and pH. The materials were tested for the oxidation of methane to methanol using oxygen. A linear relationship between the amount of methanol produced over Cu-ZSM-5 zeolites from methane and oxygen and a UV-Vis-NIR DRS charge transfer band at 22,700 cm -1 is reported irrespective of the synthesis route used. The absolute intensity of the 22,700 cm -1 band is always low, indicating a low number of active sites in the samples. In all studied Cu-ZSM-5 zeolites at least two copper species were present: (a) Cu-O clusters dispersed on the outer surface of ZSM-5 and (b) highly dispersed copper-oxo species inside the channels, a minority fraction in the sample. By relating catalytic activity to FT-IR data of adsorbed pivalonitrile, visualizing Cu-O particles on the outer surface of the zeolite, and subsequently adsorbed NO, indicative of the Cu-O species inside the zeolite channel, it was concluded that Cu-O species on the outer surface are not involved in the oxidation reaction, while copper inside the channels are responsible for the selective conversion of methane to methanol.Keywords Methanol Á Methane activation Á Cu-ZSM-5 Á l-Oxo dicopper cluster Á UV-Vis spectroscopy Á FT-IR with pivalonitrile and NO

For the first time the possibility to partially oxidize methane to methanol and formaldehyde at low temperature over Co-ZSM-5 using air is shown. The influence of the preparation method on the nature of the cobalt species is investigated. In addition, the catalytic activity and selectivity for methane oxidation as a function of the cobalt speciation is discussed. Based on UV-vis-NIR and FT-IR spectroscopy, H 2 -TPR, TEM and kinetic measurements it is concluded that cobalt in ion-exchange positions results mainly in the formation of formaldehyde, while larger Co-oxide particles prepared by impregnation result in the formation of methanol.

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