top of page
PROJECTS
Project | 01
Funding Source:
In this paper, the synthesis and characterization of Sn, Sn-Al, and Sn-B containing MFI zeolites are reported. It is shown that Sn uptake is high (near 100%) but decreases with the introduction of a second heteroatom. Additionally, the zeolite crystal size decreases and morphology changes with the introduction of a second heteroatom as evidenced by FE-SEM and XRD. UV-Vis confirms the tetrahedral framework coordination of Sn within the zeolite and the absence of SnO2 clusters. Studies of methanol adsorption using in-situ IR spectroscopy indicate that Sn-MFI sample with low Sn contents possess lower acidity, and that Sn-Al-MFI samples confirm Al within the zeolite through the presence of a Brönsted acid site. Comparison of spectra of adsorbed d-acetonitrile on the surface of these catalysts with the silicalite-1 is consistent with the Sn centers in the framework possessing Lewis acidity. Journal: Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 251 (2017): 165-172. DOI: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2017.05.049
Project | 02
Funding Source:
Project | 02 Steam-Assisted Crystallized Fe-ZSM-5 Materials and Their Unprecedented Activity in Benzene Hydroxylation to Phenol using Hydrogen Peroxide
​
In this report, iron-containing, hierarchical steam-assisted crystallized MFI materials were found to possess unprecedented reactivity for benzene hydroxylation to phenol. Numerous characterization methods were used to confirm the crystallinity, composition, textural properties and iron coordination in these samples. In-situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (in-situ FT-IR) of methanol and nitric oxide adsorption were also used to probe the materials. These catalysts were then studied in the catalytic oxidation of benzene to phenol using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant at mild conditions. Microporous materials showed lower activity (~4% phenol yield after 8 h), in agreement with previous reports, whereas hierarchical Fe-ZSM-5 zeolites, as synthesized here, exhibited superior catalytic performance. The best catalyst in this report gave a benzene conversion of 25.5% with a phenol selectivity of 90% corresponding to a turnover number of 81.74. This finding is twice the best zeolite-based catalyst in the open literature. Suitable control experiments ruled out homogeneous catalysis. Thus, the observed activity is related to the high interconnectivity of the micropores and mesopores, which reduce the overall transport resistance. Hydrogen peroxide consumption was also higher for the hierarchical samples, up to 95% at eight hours, compared to conventional catalysts. The obtained results revealed that the active sites for this reaction were located predominantly in the micropores of the mesoporous Fe-ZSM-5 zeolites.Journal: Journal of Catalysis 368 (2018): 354-364. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcat.2018.10.011
Project | 03
Funding Source:
Project | 03 Zeolite Acidity Strongly Influences Hydrogen Peroxide Activation and Oxygenate Selectivity in the Partial Oxidation of Methane over M,Fe-MFI (M: Ga, Al, B) Zeolites
The partial oxidation of methane to oxygenates, primarily formic acid, over a series of Fe-MFI zeolites with different trivalent framework atoms is reported. Numerous characterization techniques were used to confirm the crystallinity, composition, textural properties, and iron coordination in these solid catalysts. Ammonia temperature-programmed desorption along with in-situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy of pyridine were used to probe the acidity strength of these samples. These catalysts were then studied in the partial oxidation of methane using H2O2 as the oxidant at mild conditions. The two key findings from this work are that higher iron loadings than reported previously can still result in active catalysts and that the presence of strong acidity is key to H2O2 activation and controls the product selectivity, favoring formic acid over methanol. The most active catalysts have TON values of 159 and 165. Journal: Catalysis Science & Technology, 2019, DOI: 10.1039/C9CY00619B
Project | 04
Project | 04
Project | 04
Project | 04
Funding Source:
Funding Source:
Funding Source:
Funding Source:
Project | 04 Application of Synthesized Ceria Nano-rods Synthesized at Room Temperature in Degradation of Rhodamine B and Methylene Blue
Project | 04 Application of Synthesized Ceria Nano-rods Synthesized at Room Temperature in Degradation of Rhodamine B and Methylene Blue
Project | 04 Application of Synthesized Ceria Nano-rods Synthesized at Room Temperature in Degradation of Rhodamine B and Methylene Blue
Project | 04 Application of Synthesized Ceria Nano-rods Synthesized at Room Temperature in Degradation of Rhodamine B and Methylene Blue
Solar energy is uniquely poised to solve major energy and environmental challenges that are being faced by humankind. As such, it is important to develop a suitable environmentally-friendly technology that permits the full range of the solar spectrum to be used for simultaneously solving energy and environmental challenges. It has been proposed that it is possible to address these challenges using nanocomposite materials that are capable of solar photocatalytic conversion. Ceria nano-particles have been shown to be a promising candidate for photocatalysis because of its desirable band edge positions and they have been successfully used in a number of photocatalytic processes, such as detoxification and hydrogen production. The redox shift between Ce4+ and Ce3+ can create a high capacity for the system to store or release oxygen under oxidizing or reducing conditions. Many studies have reported the doped-CeO2 particles for this purpose but in our work we aim to show that there is no need for a second element to be dopped on Ceria in order to do such chemistry. As-made cerium oxide nano-rods at room temperature display a strong yellow color. We want to see that are the synthesized materials highly active for water treatment such as degradation of dyes (Methylene Blue (MB), Rhodamine-B) under visible light?
Solar energy is uniquely poised to solve major energy and environmental challenges that are being faced by humankind. As such, it is important to develop a suitable environmentally-friendly technology that permits the full range of the solar spectrum to be used for simultaneously solving energy and environmental challenges. It has been proposed that it is possible to address these challenges using nanocomposite materials that are capable of solar photocatalytic conversion. Ceria nano-particles have been shown to be a promising candidate for photocatalysis because of its desirable band edge positions and they have been successfully used in a number of photocatalytic processes, such as detoxification and hydrogen production. The redox shift between Ce4+ and Ce3+ can create a high capacity for the system to store or release oxygen under oxidizing or reducing conditions. Many studies have reported the doped-CeO2 particles for this purpose but in our work we aim to show that there is no need for a second element to be dopped on Ceria in order to do such chemistry. As-made cerium oxide nano-rods at room temperature display a strong yellow color. We want to see that are the synthesized materials highly active for water treatment such as degradation of dyes (Methylene Blue (MB), Rhodamine-B) under visible light?
Solar energy is uniquely poised to solve major energy and environmental challenges that are being faced by humankind. As such, it is important to develop a suitable environmentally-friendly technology that permits the full range of the solar spectrum to be used for simultaneously solving energy and environmental challenges. It has been proposed that it is possible to address these challenges using nanocomposite materials that are capable of solar photocatalytic conversion. Ceria nano-particles have been shown to be a promising candidate for photocatalysis because of its desirable band edge positions and they have been successfully used in a number of photocatalytic processes, such as detoxification and hydrogen production. The redox shift between Ce4+ and Ce3+ can create a high capacity for the system to store or release oxygen under oxidizing or reducing conditions. Many studies have reported the doped-CeO2 particles for this purpose but in our work we aim to show that there is no need for a second element to be dopped on Ceria in order to do such chemistry. As-made cerium oxide nano-rods at room temperature display a strong yellow color. We want to see that are the synthesized materials highly active for water treatment such as degradation of dyes (Methylene Blue (MB), Rhodamine-B) under visible light?
Solar energy is uniquely poised to solve major energy and environmental challenges that are being faced by humankind. As such, it is important to develop a suitable environmentally-friendly technology that permits the full range of the solar spectrum to be used for simultaneously solving energy and environmental challenges. It has been proposed that it is possible to address these challenges using nanocomposite materials that are capable of solar photocatalytic conversion. Ceria nano-particles have been shown to be a promising candidate for photocatalysis because of its desirable band edge positions and they have been successfully used in a number of photocatalytic processes, such as detoxification and hydrogen production. The redox shift between Ce4+ and Ce3+ can create a high capacity for the system to store or release oxygen under oxidizing or reducing conditions. Many studies have reported the doped-CeO2 particles for this purpose but in our work we aim to show that there is no need for a second element to be dopped on Ceria in order to do such chemistry. As-made cerium oxide nano-rods at room temperature display a strong yellow color. We want to see that are the synthesized materials highly active for water treatment such as degradation of dyes (Methylene Blue (MB), Rhodamine-B) under visible light?
Project | 05
Funding Source:
Project | 05 Investigation of Influence of Polymeric Tin Oxide on the Surface of Sn-MFI Zeolites in the Catalytic Activity
Many traditional oxidation processes are associated with the use of stoichiometric high-oxidation-state transition metals, hazardous solvents and the production of large volumes of toxic waste. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in catalytic systems able to perform these reactions in a more environmentally friendly way, using non-toxic reagents, oxidants and solvents. Baeyer–Villiger reaction is an important oxidation process, providing a direct pathway to oxidize ketones to esters or lactones by organic peracids or alkyl hydroperoxides, usually operating in homogeneous phase. The reaction can be catalyzed by acid, base, enzyme, or transition metal-containing materials.
É›-Caprolactone is an important chemical used in the synthesis of polyesters. Currently, the main industrial process for the production of É›-caprolactone is the oxidation of cyclohexanone with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. The disadvantages of this method are problems related with the transport and storage of dangerous reagents, and the regeneration of the organic peroxide at the end of the reaction. In our work, we want to investigate the effect of polymeric SnO2 present on the surface of Sn-MFI zeolite on the catalytic activity of these materials.
Project | 06
Funding Source:
Project | 06 Effect of Crystal Structure on the Oxidation of Methane to Methanol by Oxygen Over Cu/Pt-Zeolites at Elevated Temperature
The aim of this project is to investigate the influence of different crystal structure of zeolites on the oxidation of methane to methanol using molecular oxygen as the oxidant source in a plug flow reactor.
bottom of page