Supported oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) catalysts, methods of making the catalysts, and uses thereof are described. A supported OCM) catalyst can include a nonporous inert support having a high thermal conductivity and an OCM mixed metal oxide material in contact with surface of the nonporous inert support.

An OCM catalyst composition characterized by general formula A.sub.aLa.sub.bE.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x; wherein A is an alkaline earth metal; wherein E is a first rare earth element; wherein D is a redox agent or a second rare earth element; wherein the first rare earth element and second rare earth element are different; wherein a is 1.0; wherein b is 0.01-10.0; wherein c is 0-10.0; wherein d is 0-10.0; and wherein x balances the oxidation states. The alkaline earth metal is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and combinations thereof. The first rare earth element and the second rare earth element can each independently be selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and combinations thereof. The redox agent is selected from the group consisting of Mn, W, Bi, Sb, Sn, Ce, Pr, and combinations thereof.

An OCM catalyst composition characterized by general formula A.sub.aLa.sub.bE.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x; wherein A is an alkaline earth metal; wherein E is a first rare earth element; wherein D is a redox agent or a second rare earth element; wherein the first rare earth element and second rare earth element are different; wherein a is 1.0; wherein b is 0.01-10.0; wherein c is 0-10.0; wherein d is 0-10.0; and wherein x balances the oxidation states. The alkaline earth metal is selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and combinations thereof. The first rare earth element and the second rare earth element can each independently be selected from the group consisting of Sc, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and combinations thereof. The redox agent is selected from the group consisting of Mn, W, Bi, Sb, Sn, Ce, Pr, and combinations thereof.

A method of selecting a stable mixed metal oxide catalyst for an oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reaction is disclosed. The method may include, obtaining a mixed metal oxide material having catalytically active metal oxides for the OCM reaction and identifying the Tammann temperature (TTam) of at least one of the catalytically active metals oxides of the mixed metal oxide material. The method further includes selecting the mixed metal oxide material for use as a catalyst in the OCM reaction if the at least one catalytically active metal oxides present in the mixed metal oxide material has a TTam greater than a predetermined temperature.

A method of selecting a stable mixed metal oxide catalyst for an oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reaction is disclosed. The method may include, obtaining a mixed metal oxide material having catalytically active metal oxides for the OCM reaction and identifying the Tammann temperature (TTam) of at least one of the catalytically active metals oxides of the mixed metal oxide material. The method further includes selecting the mixed metal oxide material for use as a catalyst in the OCM reaction if the at least one catalytically active metal oxides present in the mixed metal oxide material has a TTam greater than a predetermined temperature.

A mixed oxide catalyst for the oxidative coupling of methane can include a catalyst with the formula A.sub.aB.sub.bC.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x, wherein: element A is selected from alkaline earth metals; elements B and C are selected from rare earth metals, and wherein elements B and C are different rare earth metals; the oxide of at least one of A, B, C, and D has basic properties; the oxide of at least one of A, B, C, and D has redox properties; and elements A, B, C, and D are selected to create a synergistic effect whereby the catalytic material provides a methane conversion of greater than or equal to 15% and a C.sub.2.sup.+ selectivity of greater than or equal to 70%. Systems and methods can include contacting the catalyst with methane and oxygen and purifying or collecting C.sub.2.sup.| products.

A mixed oxide catalyst for the oxidative coupling of methane can include a catalyst with the formula A.sub.aB.sub.bC.sub.cD.sub.dO.sub.x, wherein: element A is selected from alkaline earth metals; elements B and C are selected from rare earth metals, and wherein elements B and C are different rare earth metals; the oxide of at least one of A, B, C, and D has basic properties; the oxide of at least one of A, B, C, and D has redox properties; and elements A, B, C, and D are selected to create a synergistic effect whereby the catalytic material provides a methane conversion of greater than or equal to 15% and a C.sub.2.sup.+ selectivity of greater than or equal to 70%. Systems and methods can include contacting the catalyst with methane and oxygen and purifying or collecting C.sub.2.sup.| products.

A composite photocatalyst is provided. The composite photocatalyst includes a nanomotor and a plurality of cocatalysts, the nanomotor comprises a shell formed by porous material, at least one inner core formed by a photocatalyst, and a cavity between the shell and the at least one inner core, the plurality of cocatalysts are located in the cavity. The plurality of cocatalysts are selected from the group consisting of metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, metal sulfide nanoparticles, phosphate nanoparticles, up-conversion material nanoparticles, and any combination thereof. A method for making the composite photocatalyst and application thereof are further provided. The plurality of cocatalysts and the nanomotor forms a photocatalytic synergistic reaction system, improving photo-catalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst.

A composite photocatalyst is provided. The composite photocatalyst includes a nanomotor and a plurality of cocatalysts, the nanomotor comprises a shell formed by porous material, at least one inner core formed by a photocatalyst, and a cavity between the shell and the at least one inner core, the plurality of cocatalysts are located in the cavity. The plurality of cocatalysts are selected from the group consisting of metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, metal sulfide nanoparticles, phosphate nanoparticles, up-conversion material nanoparticles, and any combination thereof. A method for making the composite photocatalyst and application thereof are further provided. The plurality of cocatalysts and the nanomotor forms a photocatalytic synergistic reaction system, improving photo-catalytic activity of the composite photocatalyst.

The present invention relates to a hydrocarbon conversion process comprising contacting a hydrocarbon feed stream with a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst, wherein the hydrocarbon conversion catalyst comprises a first composition comprising a dehydrogenation drogenation active metal on a solid support; and a second composition comprising a transition metal and a doping agent on an inorganic support, wherein the doping agent is selected from zinc, gallium, indium, lanthanum, and mixtures thereof.