Direct methane conversion to chemicals, in contrast with syngas pathway, has been considered for practical applications, but it remains challenge due to a limited product yield. It is however important to develop natural gas conversion technology that allows single-pass production in pronounced exergy cycles.

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   Oxidative coupling of methane to ethylene becomes the recent research refocus, owing to mild exothermicity that makes the overall chemical process beneficial. Our group works on detailed kinetic studies that unveil previously unrecognized reaction mechanisms. Design of the surfaces based on the understanding mechanisms are employed to achieve unprecedented product yield.