Development of novel heterogeneous catalysts and processes for environmental applications

天然水体中新出现的污染物正在成为人类和水生生物潜在的健康问题。在地表水和地下水中都检测到微量的化学品(如双酚A、PBA)、药品(如抗抑郁剂)和杀虫剂(如阿特拉津)。臭氧催化反应是降解这些新兴污染物的一种潜在方法。拟议的研究计划的重点是开发新型固体催化剂，以加强臭氧与水中新出现的污染物的反应。基于有效载体(A2O_3、颗粒活性碳、CeO_2、TiO_2)、碳纳米管和疏水氧化铝上的活性金属(铜、Ru、铂、钴、铁、金)的尺寸可控簇合物的催化剂将被开发出来。将根据催化剂在降解和矿化水中选定的新兴污染物方面的有效性进行筛选。操作参数对反应动力学的影响将在反应器放大和可行性研究中进行评估。研究了催化剂金属颗粒大小对降解和矿化反应结构敏感性的影响，以及催化剂表面反应与本体液体反应的意义。

The presence of emerging pollutants in bodies of natural water is becoming a potential health concern for both humans and aquatic organisms. Chemicals (e.g., bisphenol A, PBA), pharmaceuticals (e.g., antidepressants), and pesticides (e.g., atrazine) have been detected in trace amounts in both surface and ground waters. Catalytic reaction with ozone (O3) is a potential way to degrade these emerging contaminants. The proposed research program is focused on developing novel solid catalysts to enhance the reaction of ozone with emerging pollutants in water. Catalysts based on size-controlled clusters of active metals (Cu, Ru, Pt, Co, Fe, Au) on effective supports (A2O3, granulated activated carbon, CeO2, TiO2), carbon nanotubes, and hydrophobic alumina will be developed. Catalysts will be screened based on their effectiveness in degrading and mineralizing selected emerging pollutants in water. The effect of operating parameters on reaction kinetics will be evaluated for reactor scale up and feasibility studies. The effect of catalyst metal particle size on structural sensitivity of the reactions of degradation and mineralization and the significance of catalyst surface reactions versus bulk liquid reactions will be studied.