Novel nano-catalysts for potential industrial applications

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New solid superacidic nano-catalysts have been recently developed in our Industrial Catalysis laboratory, Concordia University, by successfully encapsulating a liquid superacidic species, triflic acid, into a solid nano-sized matrix called silica nanoboxes.The present project whose funding is applied to NSERC, comprises two sections:a) Preparation of nano-structured catalysts by encapsulation of strong acidic or superacidic species into Al- and Si-nanoboxes, or introduction of metal or metal oxides into the same nanoboxes, or preparation of new bifunctional and hybrid catalysts in which these nanoboxes are the main catalyst components.b) Application of these nano-catalysts to three catalytic reactions of industrial interest:1) Production of bio-fuels (bio-diesels) and bio-additives to fuels from biomass: alkyl levulinates (ethyl and methyl levulinates) from cellulosic wastes (paper milling sludges, agricultural/forestry residues, wood residues).2) Ethylene and alkyl benzene from bio-ethanol.3) Preparation of novel nano-catalysts for the Thermocatalytic Cracking (TCC) for the production of ethylene and propylene, two important intermediates for plastics, synthetic fibers and other large-volume products for the petrochemical industry.