Reports: G5
46656-G5 Catalytically Active Low Density Porous Copper (II) Monoliths
Accomplishments: In the second year of this grant we have published two papers the first in Scanning and the second in Chemical Communications. We have also submitted a third to the Journal of Non Crystalline Solids. The first article described the synthesis of a highly porous monolithic composite cobalt (II/III) hydroxide carbon nanotube aerogel. This paper showed that annealing the cobalt hydroxide aerogel at 600oC in static air resulted in a phase change to the desired cobalt (II/III) oxide aerogel with removal of the carbon nanotubes. It was also observed that the carbon nanotubes acted as structure directing agent with the cobalt (II/III) hydroxide particles being deposited on the surface of the nanotubes. The annealed aerogels exhibited a distinct ribbon morphology, which indicted that the nanotubes could be used as a structure directing agent. The second paper looks at making composite materials with the incorporation of noble metal nanoparticles in to the aerogel matrix; it was shown that high metal loadings could be achieved. The final paper demonstrates how the structure of a CuO/NiO aerogel is affected by changing the reaction conditions it was shown that the particle size could be readily modified and the structural integrity upon annealing could be improved by the presence of the NiO.
Recently we have been investigating the catalytic properties of the materials previously synthesized. Our work has been centered on determining how changing the morphology of the particles influences activity. To aid in this we recently purchased a new gas chromatograph equipped with a TCD and FID detectors. In addition we have continued to explore methods to improve structural integrity of the monolithic materials to do this we have been incorporating inert support oxide such as aluminum oxide. In doing this we have been able to form composite oxides which are less 5% by mass support material. These composite materials are able to retain their monolithic structure when annealed at 500oC.
Challenges: The copper aerogels are highly porous with a diverse range of morphologies and in most cases the monoliths are very fragile. One of the primary challenges that we have had to address is determining how catalytic activity relates to structure. This is investigations one going and we except to have a preliminary communication in this area within the next 6 months.
Students: The main students attached to this project are Charlotte Sisk and Andrew Shobe. Charlotte joined my group in the summer of 2005 prior to notification of this award and Andrew joined in fall 2007 after notification of this award. Andrew graduated in fall 2009 after successfully defining his MS degree. Charlotte Sisk is excepted to graduate in fall 2011 with her PhD, she recently extended her graduation date due to taking 5 months maternity leave. Preston Brown and Simerjeet Gill worked part time on this project mainly supervising undergraduates who worked on projects to investigate supported metal oxides. Both Simer and
