RUI: CAS: Investigating Nanoparticles Dispersed in Organically Modified Silicates as Catalysts for the Reductive Functionalization of Carbon Dioxide by Organosilanes

减少二氧化碳（一种重要的长寿命温室气体）排放到大气中是一项重大挑战。尽管人们在努力捕获和储存二氧化碳，但将其转化为增值化学品可以为二氧化碳的再循环提供重要的激励。开发能够通过连续工业过程将二氧化碳转化为精细化学品的实用化学系统是一个重大障碍。分散在硅酸盐中的金属纳米颗粒是一类可以应对这一挑战的材料。东南路易斯安那大学的Fotie博士正在研究从昂贵的贵金属中提取的纳米颗粒如何将二氧化碳转化为有用的化学物质。这一认识随后被应用于改善活性较低但地球上储量较多的金属的性能。Fotie博士积极参与建立在他的研究基础上的外展活动，以促进学生对科学、技术、工程和数学（STEM）学科的参与。这些活动提供了一个独特的机会来创造一个研究环境，将三个处于不同教育阶段的截然不同的学生群体结合在一起；东南路易斯安那大学数学科学升学项目的高中生、东南路易斯安那大学本科学生和东南综合科学与技术（ISAT）硕士生。这种独特的学习环境使学生能够观察并与科学专业人员互动。来自东南路易斯安那大学的Fotie博士在化学系化学催化项目的资助下，对非常活跃和无配体的贵金属（Pt和Pd）和一种地球上丰富的金属（Fe）的反应性有了基本的了解。这些金属纳米分散在一系列溶胶-凝胶衍生的有机改性硅酸盐中，并观察了它们对有机硅烷对CO2的还原官能化的行为。控制实验和动力学研究进行，以提供深入了解这些催化系统的机制。研究小组正在研究这些催化剂的可重复使用性和循环使用寿命。这些研究可能会提供关于催化剂可行性的基本问题的答案，以使二氧化碳流线固定和转化为有用的建筑材料。Fotie博士积极参与STEM外展项目，重点是招收来自低收入家庭、少数民族和科学代表性不足群体的高中生。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。

Reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a significant long-lived greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere is a major challenge. Despite efforts toward the capture and storage of CO2, its conversion to valued-added chemicals could provide an important incentive for CO2 recycling. The development of practical chemical systems that enable conversion of CO2 into fine chemicals via continuous industrial processes is a significant hurdle. Metal nanoparticles dispersed in silicates are a class of materials that may meet this challenge. Dr. Fotie at Southeastern Louisiana University is developing an understanding of how nanoparticles derived from expensive, precious metals convert CO2 to useful chemicals. This understanding is then being applied to improving the performance of less active but more earth-abundant metals. Dr. Fotie is actively engaged in outreach activities that build upon his research to promote engagement of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. These activities are providing a unique opportunity to create a research environment combining three very different groups of students at different stages of their education; high school students from the Southeastern Louisiana University Math-Science Upward-Bound program, Southeastern Louisiana University undergraduate students, and Southeastern Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) master’s students. This unique leaning environment is enabling the students to observe and interact with science professionals.With funding from the Chemical Catalysis Program of the Division of Chemistry, Dr. Fotie from Southeastern Louisiana University is developing a fundamental understanding of the reactivity of very active and ligandless precious metals (Pt and Pd) and one earth-abundant metal (Fe). These metals are nano-dispersed in a range of sol-gel-derived organically-modified silicates and their behavior toward the reductive functionalization of CO2 by organosilanes is observed. Control experiments and kinetic studies are undertaken to provide insights into the mechanisms of these catalytic systems. The research team is investigating the reusability and recycling lifetime of these catalysts. These studies may provide answers to fundamental questions about catalyst viability for a streamline fixation and conversion of CO2 into useful building blocks. Dr. Fotie is actively engaged in STEM outreach programs focused on the recruitment of high-school students from low-income families, minorities, and groups under-represented in science.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.