Understanding Reaction Mechanisms for the Design of RF Driven Catalytic Modular Reactors

拟议中的项目将研究在暴露于射频（RF）辐射的局部加热的氧化铁纳米颗粒表面驱动催化反应的概念。主要目标是开发一种比热驱动更节能的新工艺，并设计一个低温下rf驱动催化反应的模块化反应器系统。低反应温度有望通过减少焦炭形成和颗粒烧结来防止催化剂降解，同时降低化学制造过程中的能耗。研究了纳米Fe3O4纳米颗粒上rf驱动烷烃氧化脱氢的基本原理，包括能量转换/转移对反应机制的影响。纳米颗粒的大小和结构将被优化，以最大限度地提高能量转换。化学反应将使用标准方法和中子/同步加速器表征技术进行研究。与磁场的相互作用将使用开源软件建模，以阐明催化活性铁表面位点之间的相互作用，磁场内的取向和产生的能量。rf驱动催化反应的基础知识将用于设计可扩展到工业水平的模块化反应器。除了在跨学科研究领域培养研究生外，pi还计划使用磁性纳米颗粒为来自巴吞鲁日，洛杉矶地区的K-12学生和当地HBCUs的本科生开发教育和推广活动的材料，特别强调鼓励来自未被充分代表的少数群体的学生追求科学和工程方面的职业。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The proposed project will investigate the concept of driving catalytic reactions on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles that are locally heated by exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation. The main objective is to develop a new process that is more energy efficient than thermally-driven ones and to design a modular reactor system for RF-driven catalytic reactions at low temperatures. Low reaction temperatures are expected to prevent catalyst degradation by reducing coke formation and particle sintering, while reducing the energy consumption in chemical manufacturing processes. The fundamental principles behind the RF-driven oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes on Fe3O4 nanoparticles will be studied, including the effects of the energy conversion/transfer on reaction mechanisms. The size and structure of the nanoparticles will be optimized to maximize energy conversion. Chemical reactions will be investigated using standard methods and neutron/synchrotron characterization techniques. Interactions with magnetic fields will be modeled using open-source software to elucidate the interaction between catalytically active Fe surface sites, orientation within magnetic fields, and generated energy. The fundamental knowledge on RF-driven catalytic reactions will be used to design a modular reactor that can be scaled-up to industrial level. In addition to training graduate students in an interdisciplinary research field, the PIs plan to use magnetic nanoparticles to develop material for educational and outreach activities to K-12 students from the Baton Rouge, LA, area and undergraduate students from local HBCUs, with special emphasis on encouraging students from underrepresented minority groups to pursue careers in science and engineering.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.