Modified carbon Supports for Aqueous Phase Catalysis--Applications for the Conversion of Glucose and Fermentation Products to Value-Added Chemicals
EMSL Project ID
3340
Abstract
The objective of this project is to develop a core capability in the modification of carbon support materials for aqueous phase catalysis and to understand the fundamental relationship between carbon modification and catalyst performance. Controlling the carbon structure with respect to surface area and pore size distribution is critical for developing new catalyst materials with high performance characteristics in conversion and selectivity. In addition, controlling the surface chemistry of the carbon supports is also essential in preparing catalysts with high metal dispersion and high activity. In general, the surface porosity can be controlled by precise thermal treatments. Thermal treatment of activated carbons can minimize microporosity and increase mesoporosity while maintaining a relatively high surface area. Chemical treatments, such as oxidation with nitric acid or hydrogen peroxide can modify the surface chemistry to create acidic and or basic sites on the surface. A number of thermal and chemical treatments will be performed on a family of activated carbons to deliberately assess the effects of various treatments on catalyst performance, and these carefully controlled modifications will be correlated with carbon and catalyst characterization measurements to develop a fundamental understanding of the influence of various treatments on catalyst performance. Surface area measurements, pore size distribution, chemical reaction data and metal dispersion measurements will all be used to characterize the carbon supports and final catalyst preparation. Various catalysts will be synthesized using precious metals such as ruthenium and palladium and their performance will be measured by studying the conversion and selectivity of the hydrogenolysis of sugar alcohols to corresponding shorter chain alcohols. Hydrogenolysis has been chosen as the model reaction because of the potential for a wide variety of products and will afford a true measure of the influence that the various carbon modifications have on effecting reaction selectivity and conversion.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2003-03-26
End Date
2006-04-02
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members