"Revolutionary Catalyst Converts Methane into Valuable Chemicals Using Sunlight"

Researchers from the University of Hong Kong and Tsinghua University have developed a tungsten trioxide (WO3) catalyst that can convert methane into formaldehyde with nearly 100% selectivity under visible light. The catalyst features a dual active site comprising copper and tungsten atomic species that work in tandem to ensure an effective and selective conversion process. Formaldehyde is a high-volume commodity chemical with a market value of USD 8 billion, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%.