Partial oxidation of methane (POM) to syngas, a mixture of CO and H2, has remained a challenge for utilising natural gas efficiently. Rhenium (Re) shows unique catalytic activity in this reaction, but it is easily deactivated by oxidation. This work shows that mordenite (MOR)-supported Re catalyst is significantly more active and resistant to oxidising conditions than typical oxide-supported Re catalysts. POM with Re/ MOR produces CO in 52% yield and H2 in 55% yield at a low temperature of 600 °C. Characterisation of the catalysts has indicated that MOR stabilises low-valent Re species that work for POM. The low-valent Re species produces CO from methane in the presence of O2, presumably via a direct oxidation pathway.
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