Methane hydrate formation in confined nanospace can surpass nature.
Natural methane hydrates are believed to be the largest source of hydrocarbons on Earth. These structures are formed in specific locations such as deep-sea sediments and the permafrost based on demanding conditions of high pressure and low temperature. Here we report that, by taking advantage of the confinement effects on nanopore space, synthetic methane hydrates grow under mild conditions (3.5 MPa and 2 °C), with faster kinetics (within minutes) than nature, fully reversibly and with a nominal stoichiometry that mimics nature. The formation of the hydrate structures in nanospace and their similarity to natural hydrates is confirmed using inelastic neutron scattering experiments and synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. These findings may be a step towards the application of a smart synthesis of methane hydrates in energy-demanding applications (for example, transportation).
Laboratorio de Materiales Avanzados, Departamento de Química Inorgánica-Instituto Universitario de Materiales, Universidad de Alicante, Ctra. San Vicente-Alicante s/n, E-03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain.
Mirian E
ME
Casco
Laboratorio de Materiales Avanzados, Departamento de Química Inorgánica-Instituto Universitario de Materiales, Universidad de Alicante, Ctra. San Vicente-Alicante s/n, E-03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain.
Joaquín
J
Silvestre-Albero
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Chemical and Engineering Materials Division, 1 Bethel Valley Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA.
Anibal J
AJ
Ramírez-Cuesta
Instituto de Tecnología Química, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-CSIC, Avda. de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
Fernando
F
Rey
Instituto de Tecnología Química, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia-CSIC, Avda. de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
Jose L
JL
Jordá
Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
Atul
A
Bansode
Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), 43007 Tarragona, Spain.
Atsushi
A
Urakawa
ALBA Light Source, 08290 Cerdanyola del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain.
Inma
I
Peral
Laboratorio de Materiales Avanzados, Departamento de Química Inorgánica-Instituto Universitario de Materiales, Universidad de Alicante, Ctra. San Vicente-Alicante s/n, E-03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain.
Manuel
M
Martínez-Escandell
Research Center for Exotic Nanocarbons, Shinshu University, 4-17-1 Wakasato, Nagano 380-8553, Japan.
Katsumi
K
Kaneko
Laboratorio de Materiales Avanzados, Departamento de Química Inorgánica-Instituto Universitario de Materiales, Universidad de Alicante, Ctra. San Vicente-Alicante s/n, E-03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Spain.
Francisco
F
Rodríguez-Reinoso