Surface Science Studies of Ni-based Bimetallic Particles Supported on CeO2(111) for Dry Reforming of Methane

在化学系化学催化项目的资助下，怀俄明大学的周静教授正致力于开发经济、热稳定和活性的催化剂，用于甲烷干法重整(DRM)技术。DRM同时利用两种大量可用的气体，甲烷和二氧化碳，并提供了一种将这些转化为工业上重要的合成气(合成气，CO/H2)的途径。在这个项目中，周博士将研究负载在氧化铈载体上的镍基双金属颗粒的生长，并阐明第二种金属(Co和Rh)对镍在DRM中的活性和稳定性的影响。周博士将积极参与招收、教授和指导女本科生和高中生的外展工作。通过提供纳米科学和催化方面的实践研究经验和研讨会，她鼓励他们在STEM追求自己的职业生涯。开发经济、热稳定、活性好、抗失活的催化剂是甲烷干法重整(DRM)技术发展的重大挑战之一。CeO_2具有独特的氧化还原性能、高储氧量和很强的金属-载体相互作用，是一种很有前途的镍载体。添加第二种金属可以提供调整镍的性能和化学成分的能力。该项目将涉及几个步骤，包括：制备结构、组成和覆盖度可控的CeOx(111)(1.5x2)上的Ni-Co和Ni-Rh模型粒子；对其尺寸、化学状态、表面位置、金属-金属和金属-CeO_2相互作用的详细表征；以及从超高真空到反应条件的DRM中反应气体的活化和催化性能的检查。将与布鲁克海文国家实验室的Senanayake博士合作，使用常压x射线光电子能谱研究相关DRM条件下催化剂的化学状态和活性中心的性质。周教授将积极致力于招募和指导各级女学生，并鼓励她们在科学领域追求职业道路。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

With funding from the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Chemistry Division, Professor Jing Zhou of the University of Wyoming is working to develop economical, thermally stable, and active catalysts for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) technology. DRM simultaneously utilizes two abundantly available gases, methane and carbon dioxide, and provides a route to convert these into industrially important synthesis gas (syngas, CO/H2). In this project, Dr. Zhou will study the growth of Ni-based bimetallic particles supported over a ceria support, and elucidate the effect of the second metal (Co and Rh) on the activity and stability of Ni in DRM. Dr. Zhou will be actively engaged in outreach efforts to recruit, teach, and mentor female undergraduate and high school students. Through providing hands-on research experience and workshops in nanoscience and catalysis, she encourages them to pursue their careers in STEM.Developing economical, thermally stable, and active catalysts that can show good resistance to deactivation is one of the grand challenges for the development of the dry reforming of methane (DRM) technology. Ceria is a promising support for Ni due to its unique redox properties, high oxygen storage capacity, and strong metal-support interactions. Addition of a second metal could provide the ability to tune the properties and chemistry of Ni. This project will involve several steps including: the preparation of model Ni-Co and Ni-Rh particles with controlled structures, compositions, and coverages on well-defined CeOx(111) (1.5x2) with controlled degrees of Ce reduction (Ce3+/Ce4+); the detailed characterization of their sizes, chemical states, surface sites, metal-metal and metal-ceria interactions; as well as the examination of activation of reactant gases and catalytic performance in DRM ranging from ultrahigh vacuum to reaction conditions. The chemical state of the catalysts and the nature of the active sites under relevant DRM conditions will be investigated using ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in collaboration with Dr. Senanayake at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Professor Zhou will actively engage in efforts to recruit and mentor female students at all levels and encourage their pursuit of career paths in science.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.