Nonlinear behaviour during methane and ethane oxidation over Ni, Co and Pd catalysts

The recent results on the oscillatory behaviour during methane and ethane oxidation over metal catalysts, including nickel, cobalt and palladium have been reviewed. The application of thermogravimetric analysis in combination with on-line mass-spectrometry and visual observations of the catalyst surface during oscillations provided the definite proof that the origin of the oscillatory behaviour in all these systems was connected with the periodical oxidation–reduction of a catalyst. The variety of spatial patterns was detected over the Ni and especially over the Co foil. Emphasis has been done on the differences and similarities of the oscillatory behaviour in various reactions over different catalysts.