Chinese Researchers Discover Superior Nickel Oxide Atomic Structure for Methane Conversion

Chinese scientists have identified a minute atomic arrangement that forms on nickel oxide during methane conversion, proving more effective than the metallic nickel traditionally thought to drive the reaction. The new structure enables a catalyst containing only a fraction of the nickel to match the performance of one that uses ten times more metal. By reducing the nickel load, the catalyst could lower material costs and improve energy efficiency in industrial processes that convert methane into useful chemicals. The finding suggests that nickel oxide surfaces can be engineered to create highly active sites, potentially leading to cheaper, more sustainable catalysts for large‑scale methane utilization.