Ein Eisen‐Kupfer‐Zeolith (Fe‐Cu‐ZSM‐5) katalysiert die selektive Oxidation von Methan zu Methanol mit wässrigem Wasserstoffperoxid. Das Eisen aktiviert die Kohlenstoff‐Wasserstoff‐Bindung, während das Kupfer dafür sorgt, dass Methanol als Hauptprodukt gebildet wird. Der Katalysator ist stabil und wiederverwendbar und aktiviert Methan mit >90 % Selektivität und 10 % Umsatz in einem geschlossenen Katalysezyklus (siehe Schema).

Fe- and Cu-containing zeolites have recently been shown to be efficient catalysts for the one-step selective transformation of methane into methanol in an aqueous medium at only 50 °C, using H2O2 as green oxidant. Previously, we have observed that Fe species alone are capable of catalyzing this highly selective transformation. However, further catalytic testing and spectroscopic investigations demonstrate that although these extra-framework Fe species are the active component of the catalyst, significant promotion is observed upon the incorporation of other trivalent cations, e.g., Al3+ or Ga3+, into the MFI-framework. While these additional framework species do not constitute active catalytic centers, promotion is observed upon their incorporation as they (1) facilitate the extraction of Fe from the zeolite framework and hence increase the formation of the active Fe species and (2) provide an associated negatively charged framework, which is capable of stabilizing and maintaining the dispersion of the cationic extra-framework Fe species responsible for catalytic activity. By understanding these phenomena and subsequently controlling the overall composition of the catalyst (Fe and Al), we have subsequently been able to prepare a catalyst of equal intrinsic activity (i.e., TOF) but five-times higher productivity (i.e., space-time-yield) compared with the best catalysts reported for this reaction to date.

Background: Marine algae used as a food source for ocean life and range in color from red to green to brown grow along rocky shorelines around the world. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles by marine alga Padina sp. and its characterization were fulfilled by using UV-visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results: UV-visible absorption spectrum revealed that the formation of Ag nanoparticles was increased by the addition of marine algae and the spectral peak observed between a wavelength of~420 nm and 445 nm. In addition, SEM and FESEM images examined the surface morphology and the size of the synthesized NPs was relatively uniform in size~25-60 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis confirmed the purity of Ag NPs with atomic percentage of 48.34% Ag. The synthesized Ag NPs showed highly potent antibacterial activity. The Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found to be more susceptible to silver nanoparticles by forming 15.17 ± 0.58 mm and 13.33 ± 0.76 mm of diameter of the inhibition zone, respectively. Conclusions: The study suggested that marine alga Padina sp. could be an alternative source for the production of Ag nanoparticles and are efficient antimicrobial compounds against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria which can be a promising material against infectious bacteria.

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