Microfibrous-structured 1Au-xAg/Al-fiber (x = 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 wt%) catalysts prepared by galvanic stepwise deposition of Au and Ag onto Al-fiber network have been tested for the oxidative coupling of methanol to methyl formate. Among these catalysts, 1Au-0.2Ag/Al-fiber provided high activity, selectivity and good stability, by nature, due to the well-dispersed Ag metal phase to facilitate the availability of reactive oxygen species. The increase of Ag loading led to the screening of surface Au which favours the adsorption of methanol, thus deteriorating methanol conversion.
