The conversion of methane with silica-supported platinum catalysts: the effect of catalyst preparation method and platinum particle size

The particle size distribution of platinum in silica prepared by the complexing agent-assisted sol–gel method and impregnation method and also in MCM-41 has been compared and its influence on the product distribution in the non-oxidative dehydrogenation of methane has been investigated. The sol–gel method gives a narrow range of platinum particle size distribution compared to the impregnation method. It was found that as the particle size increases, the selectivity for the higher hydrocarbons increases though the yield decreases.