CLUSTERCAT

"NanoEngineering of Model Catalysts Based on Supported, Size-selected Nanoclusters"

 Partecipanti

Mappa

 Word cloud

Esplora la "nuvola delle parole (Word Cloud) per avere un'idea di massima del progetto.

 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'In order to design new or refined model nanocatalyst materials for more energy efficient and economical chemical processes, the proposed project incorporates three key areas of nanoscience: (i) Nanoscale materials engineering: the synthesis of stable arrays of supported, size-selected nanoclusters (ii) Advanced characterisation techniques: Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy, and (iii) Nanoscale process engineering: investigating the reactivity/selectivity and stability of the model nanocatalysts under realistic reaction conditions. The model nanocatalysts will be prepared using the state-of-the-art apparatus based on radio-frequency magnetron plasma sputtering source, which is coupled to a lateral Time-of-Flight mass filter for size-selecting the nanoclusters. The wafer dicing method will be employed, for the first time, to convert the planar nanocatalysts to a high surface area nanocatalyst powders. The three-dimensional atomic structures and the stability of the nanoclusters during reaction conditions will be investigated by a spherical aberration-corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (pre- and post-reaction analysis). Finally, the performance of the model nanocatalysts will be explored by conducting the liquid phase hydrogenation reactions over nanocluster powder samples. The relevance of the present project within the Marie Curie Framework is reflected in the knowledge transfer between the host expertise at University of Birmingham (i and ii) and the Fellowship candidate experience from the Technical University of Munich (i and iii). This will also bring together technical innovations developed across the European Universities. In addition, the intention of this project is to motivate industrial development toward the design of new nanocatalytic processes that are less toxic and require less material and energy. The success of this project will have significant impact in advancing the field of modern catalysis in the European Research Area.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Miniscule cluster-like catalyst powders developed and tested with EU funding promise improved selectivity and specificity in a number of industrially relevant reactions.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Catalysts are critical to a plethora of industrially relevant reactions. These chemical matchmakers bring molecules together for faster reaction rates and/or higher product yields without being used up in the reaction. Thus, they can do their jobs again and again.

Sometimes, lack of selectivity results in additional products other than the desired ones. These end products must go through filtration or purification steps with reduced overall yield and reaction efficiency. Novel model catalysts require testing under practical reaction conditions to evaluate performance. EU-funding of the project 'Nanoengineering of model catalysts based on supported, size-selected nanoclusters' (CLUSTERCAT) accomplished just that.

Scientists produced novel three-dimensional nanocluster catalysts and correlated structure and function through exploitation of advanced experimental and analytical techniques.

Cluster size was precisely controlled using a radio frequency magnetron sputtering cluster beam source. Immobilised planar nanoclusters were then diced to produce cluster-based powders. Researchers investigated their structures and function and correlated the two with advanced techniques. For the first time chemical performance of powder-supported size-selected nanoclusters was explored using high-pressure chemical reactors.

CLUSTERCAT investigators created novel, well-controlled model cluster-based catalyst powders exhibiting size-dependent reactivity and selectivity under realistic reaction conditions. These nanostructured catalysts could open the door to more energy- and cost-efficient chemical processes for the sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals and the environment.