Electrified Plasma Reactor Converts Methane to Low-Emission Methanol

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a plasma-bubble reactor that converts methane into methanol in a single step. Unlike traditional methods that require high temperatures and pressures, this process uses electricity and a copper oxide catalyst at ambient conditions to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions. By zapping methane with high-voltage pulses and reacting it with water, the system achieves high selectivity for methanol. This electrified approach could provide a greener alternative for producing essential chemical building blocks used in plastics, paints, and low-emission fuels.