CAREER: Gas-Phase Catalytic Processes on Metal Nanoclusters

本项目生涯：金属纳米团簇上的气相催化过程旨在通过系统研究纳米颗粒的大小、形状和组成如何影响其化学反应活性来提高对纳米团簇催化反应过程的理解。以金属氧化物负载的金纳米粒子的低温一氧化碳氧化反应和丙烯直接环氧化反应为模型体系。这些实验将涉及非原位尺寸和形状选择纳米颗粒制备方法和原位(UHV)反应性测量的独特组合，这些方法在热和化学诱导的结构转变的不同阶段进行。利用X射线光电子能谱、扫描隧道显微镜和程序升温脱附技术，建立了可直接测量的电子现象与表面化学之间的联系。所获得的基础知识可能会导致发现新的催化工艺，同时有效利用能源和原材料，对环境的影响最小。该计划的教育部分包括开发一门名为“表面科学应用于纳米技术的基本概念”的新研究生课程，通过暑期奖学金让K-12教师、本科生和K-12学生参与拟议的研究，以及针对当地高中女学生及其家庭的推广计划，该计划将促进对中佛罗里达大学(UCF)的实地考察并参与与UCF教职员工的圆桌讨论。%基于纳米技术的催化领域正在出现令人兴奋的新机会。由于表面形态和电子结构的变化，纳米结构表面显示出修饰的化学反应活性。本项目旨在通过系统研究纳米粒子的大小、形状和组成如何影响其化学反应活性，来提高对纳米簇合物催化反应过程的理解。所获得的基础知识可能会导致发现新的催化工艺，同时有效利用能源和原材料，对环境的影响最小。此外，该方案还将通过开发一门名为“应用于纳米技术的表面科学基本概念”的新研究生课程，帮助促进和巩固UCF在纳米科学方面的研究。在纳米科学和工程这些相关领域接受培训的学生在学术和工业就业市场上都具有很强的竞争力。

This project CAREER: GAS-PHASE CATALYTIC PROCESSES ON METAL NANOCLUSTERS aims to improve the understanding of the processes taking place in nanocluster-catalyzed reactions by systematically studying how the nanoparticle size, shape and composition affect its chemical reactivity. The low temperature carbon monoxide oxidation and the direct propylene epoxidation reactions on metal-oxide-supported gold nanoparticles will be used as model systems. The experiments will involve a unique combination of ex-situ size- and shape-selected nanoparticle preparation methods and in-situ (UHV) reactivity measurements at different stages of thermally and chemically-induced structural transformations. Interconnections between directly measurable electronic phenomena and surface chemistry will be established by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Temperature-Programmed Desorption. The fundamental knowledge gained may lead to the discovery of new catalytic processes while making efficient use of energy and raw materials with minimal influence on the environment. The educational component of this program includes the development of a new graduate course entitled "Basic concepts of surface science applied to nanotechnology", the involvement of K-12 teachers, undergraduate and K-12 students in the proposed research through summer fellowships, and an outreach program directed to local high school female students and their families that will facilitate field-trips to the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the participation in round table discussions with UCF faculty members.%%%Exciting new opportunities are emerging in the field of catalysis based on the use of nanotechnology. Nanostructured surfaces show modified chemical reactivity due to changes in surface morphology and electronic structure. This project aims to improve the understanding of the processes taking place in nanocluster-catalyzed reactions by systematically studying how the nanoparticle size, shape and composition affect its chemical reactivity. The fundamental knowledge gained may lead to the discovery of new catalytic processes while making efficient use of energy and raw materials with minimal influence on the environment. In addition, this program will help to promote and consolidate the research in nanoscience at UCF through the development of a new graduate course entitled "Basic concepts of surface science applied to nanotechnology." The students trained in these and related areas of nanoscience and engineering are very competitive in both the academic and industrial job market.