Design and in situ Characterization of Nanoscale Catalysts

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The proposed research involves the use of materials chemistry for the rational design of nanoparticle catalysts for oxidation and hydrogenation reactions of commercial importance. Catalyst design will be undertaken to improve catalytic turnovers and the recyclability of nanoparticle catalysts, as well as improving catalyst selectivity by spatially isolating catalytic sites or by control of substrate access to nanoparticle surfaces via surface functionalization. In addition, in situ characterization of both nanoparticle synthesis and nanoparticle catalysis will be carried out by X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the nearby Canadian Light Source using specialized cells which have been developed for liquid and gas phase work. Our long-term goal in this field is to develop catalysts which have high catalytic activity, excellent selectivity towards specific substrates, and excellent catalyst longevity and recyclability. Thus we will develop sustainable catalytic materials which can minimize waste of hazardous materials and solvents and attain a high atom economy for expensive noble metal catalysts.