Photocatalytic nonoxidative coupling of methane (CH4, NOCM) to ethane (C2H6) is a promising route for CH4 valorization, but its environment friendly implementation requires the seamless coordination of CH4 adsorption, C–H bond activation, and C–C coupling. This intrinsic complexity makes it basically difficult for a single sort of energetic website to drive your complete NOCM course of effectively. Herein, we induce the formation of Ce3+ websites on the floor of CeO2 by loading Ag nanoparticles (NPs) for NOCM, and obtain extremely environment friendly and selective conversion of CH4 to C2H6. Mechanistic research point out that the Ce3+ websites improve CH4 adsorption and facilitate C–H bond activation to generate methyl radicals (•CH3). Subsequently, Ag NPs promote the coupling of •CH3, finally producing C2H6. This research presents a synergistic catalysis technique for designing environment friendly photocatalysts to attain the selective coupling of CH4 into higher-value chemical substances.
