Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2026, Vol. 84: 25-60.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(26)65006-1

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Dehydroaromatization of methane and methane co-aromatization process with propane: Reaction mechanism, catalyst design, carbon deposition and process optimization

Yu Gua(), Shujia Zhanga, Minglu Xua, Hao Yanb, Minghao Zhoua, Lei Wanga(), Hui Shia   

  1. a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, Jiangsu, China
    b College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, Shandong, China
  • Received:2025-09-24 Accepted:2025-11-16 Online:2026-05-18 Published:2026-04-16
  • Contact: *E-mail: guyu@yzu.edu.cn (Y. Gu),
    leiwang88@yzu.edu.cn (L. Wang).
  • About author:Yu Gu (College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University) Yu Gu received his B.S. in Applied Chemistry from China University of Petroleum (East China) in 2015, and Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering & Technology from China University of Petroleum (East China) in 2021. He is currently an associated professor at Yangzhou University, Jiangsu province, China. He focuses on the catalytic conversion of light alkanes such as methane dehydroaromatization, its co-aromatization with propane/butane, propane dehydrogenation & aromatization, etc.; and catalytic upgrading of polyolefin plastics. His research approach combines synthesis, characterizations and mechanism investigation over metal catalysts supported on zeolites, alumina, silica and ceria, etc.
    Lei Wang (College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University) Lei Wang received his Ph.D. degree under Prof. Hai-Wei Liang at the University of Science and Technology of China in 2020. Then, he joined the Southern University of Science and Technology as a postdoctoral fellow. Now, he is an Associate Professor at Yangzhou University. His main research interests include the precise synthesis of nanocrystals and the interface of heterogeneous catalysts for catalyzing hydrogenation/dehydrogenation reactions.
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(22308301);National Natural Science Foundation of China(22072128);National Natural Science Foundation of China(22301267)

Abstract:

Natural gas, as a fossil energy source, possesses abundant reserves in nature. It is cleaner and more environmentally benign compared to coal and crude oil. Converting natural gas via catalytic routes into more valuable chemicals, such as benzene and methanol, can both reduce the transportation costs of natural gas and increase the supply of commodity chemicals. It also serves as a significant supplement to the current petrochemical industry, holding broad application prospects. The aromatization reaction of methane is a critical technique in the methane conversion pathway, in which aromatics like benzene, toluene, and naphthalene can be produced via high-temperature dehydrogenation. Such a process has drawn significant research attention over the past three decades. This paper attempts to provide a detailed introduction to the development of research on this reaction. By examining various aspects including reaction thermodynamics, catalyst composition, reaction intermediates/mechanism, coke properties, anti-coking measures and process intensification, it aims to offer readers a comprehensive understanding of this reaction. Additionally, by discussing the co-aromatization of methane with higher hydrocarbons like propane, it tries to expand the cognitive boundaries related to methane aromatization reactions, thereby tending to offer deeper insights into the aromatization process of feedstock with compositions similar to real natural gas. In the end, the current research status in the field of methane aromatization is summarized, and future research directions are outlined as well.

Key words: Methane dehydroaromatization, Methane propane co-aromatization, Catalyst design, Reaction mechanism, Coke, Process optimization