Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7336-0731
Defense Date
2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Chemical and Life Science Engineering
First Advisor
B. Frank Gupton
Second Advisor
John R. Regalbuto
Third Advisor
Everett Carpenter
Fourth Advisor
James K. Ferri
Fifth Advisor
Michael H. Peters
Abstract
Catalysis is a critical component of the chemical manufacturing industry. For example, it has been estimated to be essential to more than 90% of the major industrial processes developed during the middle years of the 20th century.1 Heterogeneously supported transition metal catalysts in particular have many benefits such as easy separability from the reaction mixture and high thermal stability. One method of synthesizing these is wet impregnation, wherein a metal solution is brought into contact with an oxide- or carbon-based powder. Given optimal environmental conditions, a metal will adhere to the surface through electrostatic means in a process called Strong Electrostatic Adsorption (SEA), which can be described by the Revised Physical Adsorption (RPA) model.
In this work, the RPA model is first extended to accommodate a wide range of temperatures. A study is then conducted to investigate the effects of temperature variations on the adsorption of noble metals to various oxide surfaces, and the results are compared to theory. Then, a similar study is performed to understand the effect of both type and concentration of ions on not only the adsorption of metal, but also the final particle size, post-reductive treatment. Finally, Switched Solvent Synthesis, (SwiSS) a novel method to produce sub-nanometer particles by a two-step impregnation involving an organic solvent, is studied. Each step along the SwiSS synthesis process is tested for its magnitude of impact on final metal particle size, and recommendations regarding procedures in future investigations are made.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
8-13-2024