Selective Oxidation of Methane by Piezoelectric Catalysis Under Mild Conditions

Abstract Selective partial oxidation of methane (CH₄) at room temperature is a challenge in catalytic chemistry. Herein, we report a piezoelectric‐responsive metal‐organic framework (MOF), Cu‐UiO‐66‐NH₂, as an efficient catalyst to convert CH 4 to C1 products selectively. In flow reactors under ultrasonic activation, this catalyst achieves a methanol production rate of 175.1 µmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹ with 82% selectivity. Parallel experiments in batch reactors demonstrate yields of CO (297.4 µmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹) and H₂ (140.6 µmol·g⁻¹·h⁻¹). In the piezocatalytic process, in situ generated H 2 O 2 was decomposed to produce hydroxyl radical (·OH) to active C─H of CH 4 . Cu(II)‐O· species could formed from the decomposition of Cu(II)‐OOH intermediate to selective partial oxidation CH 4 but not to form CO 2 . This MOF‐based catalyst design integrated piezocatalysis and mimics enzymatic catalysis, supplying new insight to develop robust catalysts for the industrial conversion of methane with low concentration (<10%).