Novel catalysts and processes to enhance reaction of ozone with pollutants in air and water

该研究项目旨在开发新型多相催化剂和相关工艺，以增强臭氧（O3 -氧的一种活性形式）与空气中的有机污染物和水中新出现的污染物的反应。*******我在利用臭氧气体和臭氧与污染物的催化反应方面有超过14年的研究经验。我在萨斯喀彻温大学建立了我的研究实验室，得到了国家科学研究委员会和两项最近的CFI资助。我的两个研究重点是空气处理（焦点A）和水处理（焦点B），旨在创造知识，开发创新的空气和水处理技术，并培训HQP。*******焦点A****碳氢化合物空气污染物（如甲苯、甲醛）主要由建筑物内的家具和办公设备排放。通过控制臭氧催化氧化来消除这些污染物可以改善室内空气质量并减少建筑能耗。我们已经开发出有效的、低成本的锰氧化物催化剂，促进臭氧与碳氢化合物空气污染物的反应。本研究的一个目标是通过使用尺寸可控的金属纳米团簇和碳纳米管支撑来提高催化剂的活性和稳定性。我们将使用改进的催化剂来确定最佳设计和操作参数，以开发安装在空调系统中的空气处理装置。*******焦点B****新出现的污染物（如药品、农药）是在天然水体中检测到的强毒性化学品，正在成为水生生物和人类迫在眉睫的健康问题。由于人口增长和相关的发展，它们的释放几乎是不可避免的。目前的水和废水处理工艺并不能完全消除这些污染物。臭氧催化反应是一种很有前途的降解水中这些污染物的方法。开发高分散金属团簇在分子筛吸附载体上的稳定催化剂，降解水中新出现的污染物。我们的目标是通过与水中臭氧的催化反应，将新出现的污染物转化为可生物降解的产品。通过这项工作，我们将更好地了解催化剂在水中产生活性OH自由基的作用，以及指导复杂反应网络的催化表面反应。这项研究的一个实际成果是开发了一种催化臭氧化处理技术，以消除水和废水中的新污染物。*******我们研究项目的结果将被发表并可能获得专利。这项研究将通过提高公众的生活质量和加拿大工业通过保持其科学和技术领先地位而受益。该计划将有助于在催化、环境修复、过程工业和环境工程领域培训HQP。***************

This research program aims to develop novel heterogeneous catalysts and the associated processes to enhance reactions of ozone (O3 - an active form of oxygen) with organic pollutants in air and emerging pollutants in water.*******I have more than 14 years of research experience in utilizing ozone gas and the catalytic reactions of ozone with pollutants. I have established my research laboratory at the U of Saskatchewan with support from NSERC and two recent CFI grants. My two research foci on air treatment (Focus A) and water treatment (Focus B) aim to create knowledge, develop innovative air and water treatment technologies, and train HQP.*******Focus A****Hydrocarbon air pollutants (e.g., toluene, formaldehyde) are mostly emitted by furniture and office equipment in buildings. Eliminating these pollutants by controlled catalytic oxidation with ozone can improve indoor air quality and reduce building energy consumption. We have developed effective, low-cost, manganese oxide catalysts that facilitate reaction of ozone with hydrocarbon air pollutants. One goal of this research is to enhance the activity and stability of our catalyst by using size-controlled metal nano-clusters and carbon nanotube supports. We will use the improved catalysts to determine optimum design and operating parameters for the development of an air treatment unit for installation with air conditioning systems.*******Focus B****Emerging pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, pesticides) are potent chemicals that are detected in bodies of natural water and are becoming an imminent health concern for both aquatic organisms and humans. Their release is practically inevitable due to population growth and the associated development. Current water and wastewater treatment processes do not completely eliminate these pollutants. Catalytic reaction with ozone is a promising method to degrade these pollutants in water. We will work on developing stable catalysts with highly dispersed metal clusters on molecular sieve adsorbing supports to degrade emerging pollutants in water. Our goal is to convert emerging pollutants to biodegradable products through catalytic reaction with ozone in water. Through this work, we will develop a better understanding of the role of the catalyst in producing active OH radicals in water and the catalytic surface reactions that direct the complex reaction network. A practical outcome of this research is development of a catalytic ozonation treatment technology to eliminate emerging pollutants from water and wastewater.*******Results from our research program will be published and potentially patented. This research will benefit the public by enhancing their quality of life and Canadian industries by maintaining their scientific and technological leadership. The program will contribute to the training of HQP in the fields of catalysis, environmental remediation, process industries, and environmental engineering.***************