Novel catalysts and processes to enhance reaction of ozone with pollutants in air and water

这项研究计划旨在开发新型多相催化剂和相关工艺，以加强臭氧(臭氧--一种氧的活性形式)与空气中的有机污染物和水中新出现的污染物的反应。 我在臭氧气体的利用和臭氧与污染物的催化反应方面有14年以上的研究经验。我已经在萨斯喀彻温大学建立了我的研究实验室，得到了NSERC的支持和最近的两笔CFI赠款。我的两个研究重点是空气处理(重点A)和水处理(重点B)，旨在创造知识，开发创新的空气和水处理技术，并培训HQP。 焦点A 碳氢化合物空气污染物(如甲苯、甲醛)主要由建筑物内的家具和办公设备排放。通过臭氧控制催化氧化消除这些污染物，可以改善室内空气质量，降低建筑能耗。我们已经开发出高效、低成本的锰氧化物催化剂，以促进臭氧与碳氢化合物空气污染物的反应。本研究的目标之一是通过使用尺寸可控的金属纳米团簇和碳纳米管载体来提高催化剂的活性和稳定性。我们将使用改进后的催化剂来确定最佳设计和操作参数，以开发用于安装空调系统的空气处理装置。 焦点B 新出现的污染物(如药物、杀虫剂)是在天然水体中检测到的强有力的化学物质，正在成为水生生物和人类迫在眉睫的健康问题。由于人口增长和相关的发展，它们的释放实际上是不可避免的。目前的水和废水处理工艺并不能完全消除这些污染物。臭氧催化反应是一种很有前途的降解水中这些污染物的方法。我们将致力于开发稳定的分子筛金属团簇吸附载体催化剂，以降解水中新出现的污染物。我们的目标是通过与水中的臭氧发生催化反应，将新兴污染物转化为可生物降解的产品。通过这项工作，我们将更好地了解催化剂在水中产生活性OH自由基的作用，以及指导复杂反应网络的催化表面反应。这项研究的一个实际成果是开发了一种催化臭氧处理技术来消除水和废水中新出现的污染物。 我们研究项目的结果将被公布，并有可能获得专利。这项研究将通过提高公众的生活质量来造福公众，并通过保持加拿大的科技领先地位来提高加拿大的工业。该计划将有助于在催化、环境修复、过程工业和环境工程领域对HQP进行培训。

This research program aims to develop novel heterogeneous catalysts and the associated processes to enhance reactions of ozone (O3 - an active form of oxygen) with organic pollutants in air and emerging pollutants in water. I have more than 14 years of research experience in utilizing ozone gas and the catalytic reactions of ozone with pollutants. I have established my research laboratory at the U of Saskatchewan with support from NSERC and two recent CFI grants. My two research foci on air treatment (Focus A) and water treatment (Focus B) aim to create knowledge, develop innovative air and water treatment technologies, and train HQP. Focus A Hydrocarbon air pollutants (e.g., toluene, formaldehyde) are mostly emitted by furniture and office equipment in buildings. Eliminating these pollutants by controlled catalytic oxidation with ozone can improve indoor air quality and reduce building energy consumption. We have developed effective, low-cost, manganese oxide catalysts that facilitate reaction of ozone with hydrocarbon air pollutants. One goal of this research is to enhance the activity and stability of our catalyst by using size-controlled metal nano-clusters and carbon nanotube supports. We will use the improved catalysts to determine optimum design and operating parameters for the development of an air treatment unit for installation with air conditioning systems. Focus B Emerging pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, pesticides) are potent chemicals that are detected in bodies of natural water and are becoming an imminent health concern for both aquatic organisms and humans. Their release is practically inevitable due to population growth and the associated development. Current water and wastewater treatment processes do not completely eliminate these pollutants. Catalytic reaction with ozone is a promising method to degrade these pollutants in water. We will work on developing stable catalysts with highly dispersed metal clusters on molecular sieve adsorbing supports to degrade emerging pollutants in water. Our goal is to convert emerging pollutants to biodegradable products through catalytic reaction with ozone in water. Through this work, we will develop a better understanding of the role of the catalyst in producing active OH radicals in water and the catalytic surface reactions that direct the complex reaction network. A practical outcome of this research is development of a catalytic ozonation treatment technology to eliminate emerging pollutants from water and wastewater. Results from our research program will be published and potentially patented. This research will benefit the public by enhancing their quality of life and Canadian industries by maintaining their scientific and technological leadership. The program will contribute to the training of HQP in the fields of catalysis, environmental remediation, process industries, and environmental engineering.