Catalysis in two dimensions for clean energy

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The development of new thermocatalytic conversion processes that address the evolving need to replace fossil fuels with green alternatives such as biomass, has been identified as one of the grand challenges facing catalysis science and technology. To meet this challenge, the rational design of new catalysts that convert biomass to useful fuels and chemicals, is needed. Catalyst activity and selectivity are determined by the surface chemical properties of a catalyst, which in turn are determined by the catalyst composition and nanostructure. The importance of catalyst structure has driven recent developments in ultrathin, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, sheet-like structures that are a few atoms or layers thick (, CO and CO2) and crude bio-oils, both of which are readily produced from second generation biomass such as wood waste.The application of 2D materials in heterogeneous thermocatalytic reactors has been limited since they are usually synthesized as unsupported nanostructures. Consequently, they are unstable at elevated temperatures and are not easily formed into spheres, pellets or extrudates that can be used in heterogeneous (fixed-bed or fluid-bed) reactors. This research will study the preparation of 2D heterostructures to provide the thermal stability and form (particle shape) needed for use in heterogeneous fixed-bed and fluid-bed reactors. The new catalysts produced will be assessed using micro-scale reactors (catalyst loading < 100 mg) so as to obtain the mechanistic and kinetic information needed to extend our understanding of the relationship between the 2D nanostructures and their activity or selectivity for the chosen thermocatalytic reactions. Scale-up and catalyst stability of the most promising candidate catalysts will be assessed in the Biorefining Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC) demonstration facility at UBC, recently funded by CFI. This facility will provide slip-streams of synthesis gas and bio-oil to larger scale reactors (catalyst loading 10-25 grams) to determine catalytic performance over extended periods of time (ca. 30 days) under conditions that will closely mimic industrial operations.