Catalytic combustion of methane at a low temperature (typically
below 873 K) has been a topic of interest for decades [1–3].
Its main applications include the ignition of gas turbine combustors
and the abatement of methane from internal combustion engines/natural
gas-powered vehicles for emission control [2,3]. For
gas turbine combustors, the inlet temperature of the honeycomb
catalyst layer is determined by the lightoff characteristics of the
catalyst. Since the preburner with flame to heat up a catalyst
releases NOx in the exhaust, the lowering of the ignition temperature
is required for this high-temperature application [1]. For the
elimination/control of methane emission from natural gas vehicles/power
plants and the petroleum industry, one of the obstacles
is the requirement for an efficient catalyst at a low temperature,
typically less than 500–550 C [2] and at best less than 300 C
[1]. As more stringent methane emission regulations are expected
or now in force in many countries, there is renewed interest in this
topic [4–11].