STTR Phase II: Metal Oxide Nanofibers for Filter and Catalyst Support Structures

这个小型企业技术转移(STTR)第二阶段项目旨在利用陶瓷纳米纤维支撑催化剂在汽车、发电和化学加工行业中应用的独特性能。陶瓷纳米纤维复合材料捕获纳米颗粒(无机和烟尘)的效率尤其受到汽车行业的关注。此外，通过发电行业的商业化活动，还开发了在发电设施中现场测试复合催化纳米纤维材料以消除低水平NOx的机会。这是一个重要的机会，需要制造陶瓷纳米纤维/聚合物复合介质和现场测试设备。这一机会的成功完成将为开发第一代陶瓷纳米纤维产品提供必要的背景。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力将提供使用纳米纤维支撑结构的催化剂失活机理的初步详细检查，以及对纳米纤维复合材料捕获纳米颗粒的关键研究。这一基线信息有助于定义和支持未来对陶瓷纳米纤维材料的研究。预计催化陶瓷纳米纤维/微纤维介质将最大限度地有效利用催化材料(贵金属)，加强燃烧过程中温室气体(NOx和CO)的破坏，并从各种气体工艺流中捕获有害颗粒。这些特点将有助于发电行业(化石燃料燃烧)、机动车和化学工业达到当前和未来的减排标准，同时有利于环境。此外，由于全球化给美国公司带来了更大的压力，要求它们以更低的成本生产产品和材料以保持竞争力，因此降低能源生产和运输成本的总体成本将提高美国的竞争力。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project seeks to take advantage of unique performance properties of ceramic nanofiber supported catalysts for applications in automotive, power generation, and chemical process industries. The efficiency of ceramic nanofiber composite materials to capture nano-sized particulates (inorganic and soot) is of particular interest to the automotive industry. Also, an opportunity to field test a composite catalyzed nanofiber material in a power generation facility to remove low-levels of NOx has been developed through commercialization activities within the power generation industry. This is a significant opportunity that will require the fabrication of a ceramic nanofiber/polymeric composite media and a field test apparatus. Successful completion of this opportunity will provide the background necessary to develop a first-generation ceramic nanofiber product.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will provide the initial detailed examination of catalyst deactivation mechanisms using nanofiber support structures as well as providing a critical investigation of nano-sized particulate capture by nanofiber composite materials. This baseline information is beneficial to define and support future investigations of ceramic nanofiber materials. It is anticipated that catalyzed ceramic nanofiber/microfiber media will maximize the efficient use of catalytic materials (precious metals), enhance destruction of greenhouse gases (NOx and CO) from combustion processes, and capture harmful particulates from various gas process streams. These characteristics will help the power generation industry (fossil fuel burning), the motor vehicle, and the chemical industry meet current and future emission reduction standards while simultaneously benefiting the environment. Also as globalization leads to added pressures on U.S. companies to produce products and materials at a lower cost to remain competitive, reduction in the overall cost of energy production and transportation costs will improve U.S. competitiveness.