Characterization of catalysts by temperature programmed methods

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Many important chemical processes and technologies rely on the interaction between reactants, products (in the gas or liquid phase) and a (solid) catalyst surface to enhance the rate of a desired chemical reaction.  Examples include fuel cells, NOx abatement and the removal of nitrogen and sulfur from Canadian heavy oil. Understanding the gas-solid or liquid-solid interaction is important in most all studies of catalysis. As well, the adsorption and reaction between the gas and solid is of interest in many non-catalytic, gas-solid reactions.   Measuring adsorption between adsorbate molecules and a solid can be done in a number of different ways.  Temperature-programmed (TP) adsorption methods measure the gas-solid interaction dynamically as the temperature is increased at a known rate, in the presence of the gas of interest.  Information about the adsorption or desorption kinetics of the gas, the thermodynamics of the adsorption process and the kinetics of any chemical reaction that may occur, can be obtained using TP methods.  Furthermore, TP methods can be configured to titrate the active sites of a catalyst. The versatility of TP methods makes them widely applicable for characterizing important interactions in catalysis and gas-solid reactions.   The present proposal requests funds to purchase a TP adsorption analyzer.  The unit will be used by a group of 6 principal investigators whose research is focused on thermochemical catalysis, photocatalysis, electrocatalysis and gas-solid reactions, with applications in fuel-cell development, development of catalysts for improved environmental technologies including air treatment, NOx abatement and S and N removal from fuels, and in CO2 capture by gas-solid reaction.  The equipment is essential for this group of researchers to address important issues in Canada's energy sector through new technology development, emission control and greenhouse gas (CO2) reduction.