In situ XRD and in situ IR spectroscopic analyses of structural change of goethite in methane oxidation

This paper examines the methane oxidation activity of iron oxides from goet hite synthesized from different types of iron compounds. The variation of c rystal structure caused by heat treatment of goethite under methane and oxy gen gas mixtures was investigated by in situ X-rag diffractometry and in si tu infrared spectroscopy. Methane oxidation commenced at a low temperature of 573 K when goethite was used as a catalyst, after the goethite had chang ed into hematite by dehydration at approximately 493 K, It was found that t he active species in methane oxidation was hematite, (C) 2001 Academic Pres s.