Metal Nanoparticle - MOF Templates; Tailored Routes to Controlled Nanocomposites for Catalysis

推动更可持续的技术依赖于开发改进的催化材料;更高的活性和对所需产品的选择性，同时不断减少昂贵的催化剂金属的量。负载型金属纳米颗粒是多相催化领域的基石;金属载体相互作用有助于催化剂的稳定性并促进化学反应。控制复合结构的界面是金属纳米颗粒和金属氧化物载体之间的这种协同作用的关键部分。负载型金属纳米颗粒最常通过浸渍金属氧化物主体，然后热活化来制备。该项目的概念是使用金属纳米颗粒作为模板支持在MOFs上。其目的是通过化学手段去除有机连接剂，即通过引入强还原剂如NaBH 4，产生定制的纳米复合材料。事实上，我们最近进行了一项概念验证研究，我们能够从Pd/Cu-BTC模板制备PdCu/Cu 2 O纳米复合材料。工作方案将：（i）显示制备条件的系统变化如何影响复合材料结构。(ii)展示其在可持续能源生产（即甲酸分解）中新兴催化应用的重要性。(iii)在工艺条件下使用先进的表征来了解复合结构的形成以及结构在催化过程中如何演变。

The drive towards more sustainable technologies relies on developing improved catalytic materials; greater activity and selectivity to desired products with ever decreasing amounts of expensive catalyst metals. Supported metal nanoparticles are a cornerstone within the field of heterogeneous catalysis; the metal support interaction aids the stability of the catalyst and promotes chemical reactions. Controlling the interface of composite structures is a key part of this synergy between metal nanoparticle and metal oxide support. Supported metal nanoparticles are most commonly prepared by the impregnation of metal oxide hosts, followed by a thermal activation. The concept of the project is to use metal nanoparticles supported on MOFs as templates. The intention is to remove the organic linkers through chemical means, i.e. by introducing strong reductants such as NaBH4, producing tailored nanocomposites. Indeed, we have recently performed a proof-of-concept study where we were able to prepare PdCu/Cu2O nanocomposites from Pd/Cu-BTC templates. The programme of work will:(i) Show how systematic variations to preparation conditions influences the composite structure.(ii) Demonstrate their importance for emerging catalytic applications in sustainable energy generation (i.e formic acid decomposition).(iii) Use advanced characterisation under process conditions to understand the formation of the composite structure and how the structures evolve during catalysis.