A Simple, Scientific Way to Optimize Catalyst Preparation

1. A Simple, Scientific Way to Optimize Catalyst Preparation John R. Regalbuto, Dept. of Chemical Engineering Prime Grant Support: NSF • supported metal catalysts like the automobile catalytic converter are immensely important for • environmental cleanup • chemical and pharmaceutical synthesis • energy production • catalyst preparation is thought of as a “black art” • industry has successful recipes but little fundamental understanding; development is laborious and expensive • our lab is a world leader at fundamental studies of catalyst preparation 1) Electrostatic adsorption mechanism • method of “strong electrostatic adsorption:” • locate pH of optimal electrostatic interaction • reduce metal coordination complex at conditions which retain the high dispersion of the precursor • extremely small nanocrystals result (sub-nanometer) • metal utilization is optimized • method is generalizeable • fuel cell electrocatalysts • automobile catalytic converters • petroleum refining catalysts