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

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