RUI: Nanoscale Catalysts: Syntheses, Characterization and Reactivities

在分析和表面化学项目的支持下，维拉诺瓦大学的Carol Bessel教授正在研究高度结构化的结晶碳纳米纤维（CNFs）的催化生长。该项目旨在将用于形成CNF的Cu，Fe和Ni基催化剂的结构和物理性能与所产生的碳结构（例如，片晶与带状）相关联。 X射线和电子显微镜技术正在被用来表征所制备的催化剂。 此外，通过与维拉诺瓦大学物理系合作，正在利用57-Fe穆斯堡尔谱研究Fe和FeNi催化剂的组成。 该项目提供了制备具有定制性能的CNF所需的催化剂系统的基本理解。 碳材料作为金属催化剂载体材料的应用也正在研究中。应用物理和化学方法研究碳纳米纤维的性质和生长机制，使人们能够对影响纳米级材料结构和反应性的因素有新的见解，这些材料在催化、医学、传感和燃料等领域有应用。电池系统。 这个本科生研究项目也将纳米技术融入课堂活动，以提高和扩大对科学的兴趣。

With the support of the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, Professor Carol Bessel of Villanova University is investigating the catalytic growth of highly structured, crystalline carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The project aims to correlate the structure and physical p roperties of Cu, Fe and Ni based-catalysts used in forming CNFs with the carbon structures (e.g, platelet versus ribbon) produced. X-ray and electron microscope techniques are being used to characterize prepared catalyst. Additionally, the composition of Fe and FeNi catalyst is being explored with 57-Fe Mossbauer spectroscopy through collaboration with the Department of Physics at Villanova University. The project is providing fundamental understanding of catalyst systems needed to prepare CNFs with tailored properties. Application of the carbon materials as a support material for metal catalysts is also being investigated. The physical and chemical methods being applied to study the properties and growth mechanisms of carbon nanofibers are enabling new insights into factors that affect structure and reactivity in nanometer-scale materials that have application in areas such as catalysis, medicine, sensing and fuel cell systems. This undergraduate research project is also integrating nanotechnology into classroom activities to enhance and broaden interest in science.