Novel Xerogel Catalyst Materials for Hydrogenation Reactions and the Role of Atomic Scale Interfaces

Abstract

<jats:p>We are developing a new family of heterogeneous catalysts for hydrogenation catalysis. Catalyst synthesis is accomplished using colloidal polymerization chemistry which produce high surface area xerogel catalysts. These xerogels have been synthesized by one-step sol gel chemistry. These catalysts contain ruthenium and modifiers such as gold occluded or incorporated in a titanium oxide matrix. The materials, especially the modified systems exhibit favorable performance in microreactor evaluations for hydrogenation reactions and exhibit high activities. Nanostructural studies have revealed that the materials contain dispersed catalyst clusters which are desirable microstructures for the catalysis since the majority of the atoms are exposed to catalysis and are potentially active sites.</jats:p><jats:p>The composition and atomic structure of the xerogel catalysts containing ruthenium and other metals have been examined using our in-house developments of environmental high resolution electron microscopy (EHREM) the atomic scale [1-3] and low voltage high resolution SEM (LVSEM)[4] methods.</jats:p>

Synthesis of Japanese-Solid-Calligraphy Ink with Soot and Glue as a Xerogel Chemistry Teaching Aid

“…For instance, sol–gel processes are integral to the production of food items, such as jellies, as well as the production of materials like glass, ceramics, and uranium dioxide, the latter being crucial for nuclear fuel manufacturing. , Notably, the core concept of sol–gel science involves the transformation of sols (liquid colloidal suspensions) into gels, which solidify upon the complete removal of their internal solvents. These solidified gels, which are formed upon solvent evaporation, are commonly referred to as xerogels and find applications in various sectors, including the production of food (e.g., agar-agar), adsorbents (e.g., carbon materials that are both microporous and mesoporous and have large surface areas), and solid catalysts like mesoporous media . A particularly well-known example of xerogel is silica gel .…”