VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Oyama, Shigeo Ted"

Browsing by Author "Oyama, Shigeo Ted"

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Adsorption of water and carbon monoxide on Cu₂O(111) single crystal surfaces
Christiaen, Anne-Claire (Virginia Tech, 1994-08-04)
Water and CO adsorptions were studied over the stoichiometric and the oxygen-deficient Cu₂O(111) surfaces, using thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Water is the only desorbing species detected in TDS and the extent of dissociation is unaffected by the surface condition: ≃ 0.25 monolayers of water dissociate on Cu₂O(111) regardless of surface condition. The local defect environment around oxygen vacancies does not play a significant role in the activity of the Cu₂O(111) surface for the dissociation of water. CO is found to bind molecularly to the surface through the carbon atom and with a heat of adsorption of 22 kcal/mol, higher value than that of CO on Cu₂O(100) (16.7 kcal/mol). This suggests that the local geometry of adsorption sites may play an important role in the way CO binds to Cu₂O surfaces. Electronic changes upon CO adsorption and the higher heat of adsorption indicate an increased σ-donor character for CO, with some π-backbonding interactions. The local defect environment around oxygen vacancies does not appear to affect CO adsorption on Cu₂O(111) surfaces.
Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Bio-Oil Model Compounds (Ethanol, 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran) over Supported Transition Metal Phosphides
Bui, Phuong Phuc Nam (Virginia Tech, 2013-01-24)
The objective of this project is to investigate hydrodeoxygenation (HDO), a crucial step in the treatment of bio-oil, on transition metal phosphide catalysts. The study focuses on reactions of simple oxygenated compounds present in bio-oil -- ethanol and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF). The findings from this project provide fundamental knowledge towards the hydrodeoxygenation of more complex bio-oil compounds. Ultimately, the knowledge contributes to the design of optimum catalysts for upgrading bio-oil. A series of transition metal phosphides was prepared and tested; however, the focus was on Ni2P/SiO2. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), temperature-programmed reduction and desorption (TPR and TPD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and chemisorption were used. In situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to monitor the surface of Ni2P during various experiments such as: CO and pyridine adsorption and transient state of ethanol and 2-MTHF reactions. The use of these techniques allowed for a better understanding of the role of the catalyst during deoxygenation.
Catalytic Hydrogenation and Hydrodesulfurization of Model Compounds
Zhao, Haiyan (Virginia Tech, 2009-03-19)
This dissertation describes two related studies on hydrogenation and hydrodesulfurization of heterocyclic S-containing compounds. Alkyl substituted thiophenes are promising candidates for hydrogen carriers as the dehydrogenation reactions are known to occur under mild conditions. Four types of catalysts including supported noble metals, bimetallic noble metals, transition metal phosphides and transition metal sulfides have been investigated for 2-methylthiophene (2MT) hydrogenation and ring opening. The major products were tetrahydro-2-methylthiophene (TH2MT), pentenes and pentane, with very little C5-thiols observed. The selectivity towards the desired product TH2MT follows the order: noble metals > bimetallics > phosphides > sulfides. The best hydrogenation catalyst was 2% Pt/Al2O3 which exhibited relatively high reactivity and selectivity towards TH2MT at moderate temperatures. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of hydrogen indicated that the H2 desorption amount was inversely related to the rate of TH2MT formation. Temperature programmed reaction (TPR) experiments revealed that pentanethiol became the major product, especially with HDS catalysts like CoMoS/Al2O3 and WP/SiO2, which indicates that poisoned or modified conventional HDS catalysts would be good candidates for further 2MT hydrogenation studies. The role of tetrahedral Ni(1) sites and square pyramidal Ni(2) sites in Ni2P hydrotreating catalysts was studied by substitution of Ni with Fe. The Fe component was deemed as a good probe because Ni2P and Fe2P adopt the same hexagonal crystal structure, yet Fe2P is completely inactive for hydrodesulfurization (HDS). For this purpose a series of NiFeP/SiO2 catalysts were prepared with different Ni:Fe molar ratios (1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1) and investigated in the HDS of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene at 300 and 340 oC. The uniformity of the NiFe series was demonstrated by x-ray diffraction analysis and by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. The position of substitution of Fe was determined by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. It was found that at 300 oC the HDS activity of the catalysts decreased with increasing Fe content and that this could be explained by the substitution of Fe at the more active Ni(2) sites. As temperature was raised to 340 oC, the activity of the Fe-containing samples increased, although not to the level of Ni2P, and this could be understood from a reconstruction of the NiFe phase to expose more Ni(2) sites. This was likely driven by the formation of surface Ni-S bonds, which could be observed by EXAFS in spent samples.
Catalytic reactions involving chlorofluorocarbons: a review
Berrey, Christopher Lee (Virginia Tech, 1995-02-03)
On December 19, 1994, scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center announced that they had obtained the first conclusive evidence that the Earth's protective ozone layer is being depleted by anthropogenic chemical products, and not by natural events such as volcanic eruptions (1). Since the early 1970s there has been a controversial debate as to the source of stratospheric chlorine. One view has held that the major portion of chlorine present in the stratosphere has originated, not from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), but from natural processes such as evaporation of seawater and volcanic eruptions. In this view, the chlorine originating from the photochemical breakdown of CFCs represents only a minor fraction of the total chlorine present in the stratosphere. General scientific consensus however holds just the opposite.
Catalytic Transformation of Greenhouse Gases in a Membrane Reactor
Prabhu, Anil K. (Virginia Tech, 2003-03-13)
Supported Ni and Rh catalysts were developed for the reforming of two greenhouse gases, methane and carbon dioxide to syngas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide). This is an endothermic, equilibrium limited reaction. To overcome the thermodynamic limitations, a commercially available porous membrane (Vycor glass) was used in a combined reactor-separator configuration. This was to selectively remove one or more of the products from the reaction chamber, and consequently shift the equilibrium to the right. However, the separation mechanism in this membrane involved Knudsen diffusion, which provided only partial separations. Consequently, there was some transport of reactants across the membrane and this led to only marginal improvements in performance. To overcome this limitation, a new membrane was developed by modifying the Vycor substrate by the chemical vapor deposition of a silica precursor. This new membrane, termed Nanosil, provided high selectivity to hydrogen at permeabilities comparable to the support material. Application of this membrane in the combined reactor-separator unit provided higher conversions than that obtained using the Vycor membrane.
Characterization and Reactivity of Mo₂C
St. Clair, Todd P. (Virginia Tech, 1998-06-04)
Two types of Mo₂C have been investigated: polycrystalline β-Mo₂C and single crystal α-Mo₂C. The β-Mo₂C material was synthesized via a temperature-programmed method, and then characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), CO chemisorption, and N₂ physisorption. The catalytic activity of the β-Mo₂C was tested for cumene hydrogenation under high pressure conditions, and the effect of sulfur and oxygen poisons on cumene hydrogenation was also investigated. As a complement to the work done on polycrystalline β-Mo₂C, UHV studies of single crystal α-Mo₂C were undertaken to provide fundamental information about a well-characterized Mo₂C surface. The (0001) surface of α-Mo₂C was investigated using XPS and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). It was found that an ion-bombarded surface could be prepared as either Mo-terminated or C-terminated by choosing either low annealing temperatures (~1000 K) or high annealing temperatures (~1500 K), respectively. CO and O₂ adsorption was also studied on α-Mo₂C (0001) using thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS), XPS, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and LEED. Finally, thiophene adsorption was investigated on α-Mo₂C (0001).
Control of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Air Pollutants
Hunter, Paige Holt (Virginia Tech, 2000-06-01)
A variety of methods exist to remove volatile organic compound (VOC) air pollutants from contaminated gas streams. As regulatory and public opinion pressures increase, companies are searching for more effective methods to control these emissions. This document is intended as a guide to help determine if existing systems are adequate and to provide additional information to improve the efficiency of the systems. It explores conventional methods of controlling VOC emissions, as well as innovative technologies including membrane separation, plasma destruction, and ozone catalytic oxidation. The conventional technologies covered include condensation, adsorption, absorption (or scrubbing), thermal incineration, flaring, catalytic incineration, and biofiltration. Each chapter includes a description of the technology, a discussion of the types of systems available, notes on the design of the system, economic estimates, an explanation of potential problems, and a list of considerations for installation and maintenance concerns. The final chapter is dedicated to the preparation and characterization of metal catalysts which were developed to improve the reaction rate of VOCs using ozone as an oxidant.
Density Functional Theory Study of Rutile SiO₂ Stishovite: An Electron Pair Description of Bulk and Surface Properties
Muscenti, Thomas Michael (Virginia Tech, 2011-08-06)
The bulk structure and the nonpolar, stoichiometric (110) surface of stishovite, rutile structure type SiO₂, has been studied using a first principles, density functional method. The geometric and electronic structure, including the density of states, charge density, and electron localization function for both the bulk and the surface have been examined. The electron pair properties of both bulk and surface-layer atoms were found to be similar to molecular analogs. The analogs allowed for the description of surface electronic structure using simple molecular models. The adsorption of hydrogen fluoride was studied on the (110) surface. The geometry optimized and electronic structure have been found for various initial geometries. Relaxed structures of certain initial geometries give dissociated hydrogen fluoride upon geometry optimization.
Design Of A High-Temperature And High-Pressure Liquid Flow Cell For X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure Measurements Under Catalytic Reaction Conditions
Kawai, T.; Chun, W. J.; Asakura, K.; Koike, Y.; Nomura, M.; Bando, K. K.; Oyama, Shigeo Ted; Sumiya, H. (AIP Publishing, 2008-01-01)
The design and performance of a new high-pressure and high-temperature cell for measurement of x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectra of solid catalysts working in a flowing liquid are presented. The cell has flat, high-purity sintered cubic boron nitride (c-BN) windows which can tolerate high temperature (900 K) and high pressure (10 MPa). The c-BN is a new material which has the highest tensile strength, second only to diamond, and is also chemically and thermally stable. The use of the cell is demonstrated for measurements of PtPd/Al(2)O(3) and Ni(2)P/SiO(2) hydrodesulfurization catalysts at reaction conditions. A technique called delta chi (Delta chi), involving determining the difference between XAFS spectra of the sample at reaction conditions and the bare sample, is introduced. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.
Direct electrochemical synthesis of oxygenates from ethane using phosphate-based electrolysis cells
Honda, Yusuke; Fujiwara, Naoya; Tada, Shohei; Kobayashi, Yasukazu; Oyama, Shigeo Ted; Kikuchi, Ryuji (2020-09-28)
Ethane was converted directly to acetaldehyde and ethanol by partial oxidation at 220 degrees C and ambient pressure using an electrolysis cell with a proton-conducting electrolyte, CsH2PO4/SiP2O7, and Pt/C electrodes. The ethane conversion and the selectivity to the products increased with the voltage applied to the cell. It was found that O species generated by water electrolysis functioned as a favorable oxidant for partial oxidation of ethane on the Pt/C anode at intermediate temperatures. The production rates of acetaldehyde and ethanol recorded in this study were significantly higher than those in preceding reports.
Experimental and Modeling Studies of the Methane Steam Reforming Reaction at High Pressure in a Ceramic Membrane Reactor
Hacarlioglu, Pelin (Virginia Tech, 2007-11-12)
This dissertation describes the preparation of a novel inorganic membrane for hydrogen permeation and its application in a membrane reactor for the study of the methane steam reforming reaction. The investigations include both experimental studies of the membrane permeation mechanism and theoretical modeling of mass transfer through the membrane and simulation of the membrane reactor with 1-D and 2-D models. A hydrothermally stable and hydrogen selective membrane composed of silica and alumina was successfully prepared on a macroporous alumina support by chemical vapor deposition in an inert atmosphere at high temperature. Before the deposition of the silica-alumina composite, multiple graded layers of alumina were coated on the alumina support with a mean pore size of 100 nm by the sequential application of three boehmite sols with gradually decreasing sol particle sizes of 630, 200 and 40 nm, respectively. The resulting supported composite alumina-silica membrane had high permeability for hydrogen in the order of 10-7 mol m-2 s-1 Pa-1 at 873 K with a H2 /CH4 selectivity of 940 and exhibited much higher stability to water vapor at the high temperature of 873 K. In addition, the same unusual permeance order of Heï¼ H2ï¼ Ne previously observed for the pure silica membrane was also observed for the alumina-silica membrane, indicating that the silica structure did not change much after introduction of the alumina. The permeation of hydrogen and helium through vitreous glass and silica membranes was modeled using ab initio density functional calculations. Comparison of the calculated activation energies to those reported for vitreous glass (20—40 kJ mol -1) indicated the presence of 5- and 6-membered siloxane rings, consistent with the accepted structure of glass as a disordered form of cristobalite. The experimental studies of the steam reforming of methane were examined at various temperatures (773-923 K) and pressures (1-20 atm) with a commercial Ni/MgAl2O4 catalyst in a hydrogen selective silica-alumina membrane reactor and compared with a packed bed reactor. One-dimensional and two-dimensional modeling of the membrane rector and the packed bed reactor were performed at the same conditions and their performances were compared with the values obtained in the experimental study. Improved methane conversions and hydrogen yields were obtained in the membrane reactor compared to the packed bed reactor at all temperatures and pressures. From the two modeling studies, it was also found out that the two-dimensional model performed better in the membrane reactor case especially at higher pressures.
Fabrication and Characterization of Polyimide-based Mixed Matrix Membranes for Gas Separations
Pechar, Todd W. (Virginia Tech, 2004-07-14)
A series of mixed matrix membranes based on zeolites incorporated into fluorinated polyimides were fabricated and characterized in this study. The first system consisted of a polyimide (6FDA-6FpDA-DABA) with carboxylic acid groups incorporated into its backbone and amine-functionalized zeolite particles (ZSM-2). FTIR indicated that these functional groups interacted with each other through hydrogen bonding. Both SEM and TEM images revealed good contact between the polyimide and the zeolite. Permeability studies showed a drop in He permeability suggesting there were no voids between the two components. While simple gases such as O2 and N2 followed effective permeabilities predicted by mixing theories, polar gases such as CO₂ did not. The second system fabricated used the same polyimide with amine-functionalized zeolite L. This zeolite differs from ZSM-2 in that zeolite L's pores are not clogged with an organic template, and it possesses 1-D pores as opposed to ZSM-2's 3-D pore structure. XPS and zeta potential experiments were performed to verify the presence of amine groups on the zeolite surfaces. FTIR data showed that after a heat treatment, amide linkages were created between the amine group on the zeolite and the carboxylic acid group of the polyimide. SEM images showed a good distribution of zeolite L throughout the polymer matrix, and no indication of voids between the two components. Permeability experiments were performed to determine if the addition of zeolite L to the polyimide improved its separation performance. The permeability was unchanged between the pure polyimide membrane and the mixed matrix membrane, suggesting there were no voids present within the matrix. Permeability results of larger gases followed a Maxwell Model. A third system was prepared using a poly(imide siloxane) (6FDA-6FpDA-PDMS) and untreated zeolite L. The primary focus of this investigation was to determine if the addition of the flexible segment would promote direct contact with the zeolite surface and remove the need to amine-functionalize the zeolite. Poly(imide siloxane)s were synthesized at 0, 22, and 41 wt % PDMS as verified using 1H-NMR. FTIR was employed to qualitatively verify the successful imidization of the polymers. SAXS patterns and TEM images did not reveal distinct phases indicative of phase separation, however, AFM images did show the presence of phase separation of the surfaces of the poly(imide siloxane)s. Permeability results showed a decrease in selectivity and an increase in permeability as the wt % of PDMS was increased. Permeabilities and selectivities dropped as the zeolite loading was increased from 0 to 20 wt %. Upon increasing the zeolite loading from 20 to 30 wt %, increases in permeability were observed, but both the permeability and selectivity were still below that of the pure polymer. The final system studied employed the 41 wt % PDMS poly(imide siloxane) as the polymer matrix and either closed-ended or open-ended carbon nanotubes as the filler. SEM images showed regions of agglomeration for both types of nanotubes. Helium permeability dropped in both types MMMs, but more so in closed-ended carbon nanotubes MMM. Nitrogen permeability was unchanged for the closed-ended carbon nanotubes MMM, and dropped slightly in the open-ended carbon-nanotube MMM.
Fabrication and Evaluation of Trimethylmethoxysilane (TMMOS)-Derived Membranes for Gas Separation
Mise, Yoshihiro; Ahn, So-Jin; Takagaki, Atsushi; Kikuchi, Ryuji; Oyama, Shigeo Ted (MDPI, 2019-09-20)
Gas separation membranes were fabricated with varying trimethylmethoxysilane (TMMOS)/tetraethoxy orthosilicate (TEOS) ratios by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method at 650 °C and atmospheric pressure. The membrane had a high H₂ permeance of 8.3 × 10⁻⁷ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ Pa⁻¹ with H₂/CH₄ selectivity of 140 and H₂/C₂H₆ selectivity of 180 at 300 °C. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements indicated existence of methyl groups at high preparation temperature (650 °C), which led to a higher hydrothermal stability of the TMMOS-derived membranes than of a pure TEOS-derived membrane. Temperature-dependence measurements of the permeance of various gas species were used to establish a permeation mechanism. It was found that smaller species (He, H₂, and Ne) followed a solid-state diffusion model while larger species (N₂, CO₂, and CH₄) followed a gas translational diffusion model.
Fabrication of Ultrathin Palladium Composite Membranes by a New Technique and Their Application in the Ethanol Steam Reforming for H₂ Production
Yun, Samhun (Virginia Tech, 2011-03-21)
This thesis describes a new technique for the preparation of ultrathin Pd based membranes supported on a hollow-fiber α-alumina substrate for H₂ separation. The effectiveness of the membranes is demonstrated in the ethanol steam reforming (EtOH SR) reaction in a membrane reactor (MR) for H₂ production. The membrane preparation technique uses an electric-field to uniformly deposit Pd nanoparticle seeds on a substrate followed by deposition of Pd or Pd-Cu layers on the activated surface by electroless plating (ELP). The well distributed Pd nanoparticles allow for enhanced bonding between the selective layer and the substrate and the formation of gas tight and thermally stable Pd or Pd-Cu layers as thin as 1 µm, which is a record in the field. The best Pd membrane showed H₂ permeance as high as 5.0 × 10⁶ mol m²s⁻¹Pa⁻¹ and stable H²/N₂ selectivity of 9000 - 7000 at 733 K for 5 days. The Pd-Cu alloy membrane showed H₂ permeance of 2.5 × 10⁶ mol m⁻²s⁻¹Pa⁻¹ and H₂/N₂ selectivity of 970 at the same conditions. The reaction studies were carried out with a Co-Na/ZnO catalyst both in a packed bed reactor (PBR) and in a MR equipped with the Pd or Pd-Cu membrane to evaluate the benefits of employing membranes. For all studies, ethanol conversion and hydrogen product yields were significantly higher in the MRs compared to the PBR. Average ethanol conversion enhancement and hydrogen molar flow enhancement were measured to be 12 % and 11 % in the Pd MR and 22 % and 19 % in the Pd-Cu MR, respectively. These enhancements of the conversion and product yield can be attributed to the shift in reaction equilibria by continuous hydrogen removal by the Pd based membranes. The comparative low enhancement in the Pd MR was found to be the result of significant contamination of Pd layer by CO or carbon compounds deposition during the reaction. A one-dimensional modeling of the MR and the PBR was conducted using identical conditions and their performances were compared with the values obtained from the experimental study. The model was developed using a simplified power law and the predicted values matched experimental data with only minor deviations indicating that the model was capturing the essential physicochemical behavior of the system. Enhancements of ethanol conversion and hydrogen yield were observed to increase with rise in space velocity (SV), which could be explained by the increase in H₂ flux through the membranes with SV in the MRs.
Gas Separation Silica Membranes Prepared by Chemical Vapor Deposition of Methyl-Substituted Silanes
Kato, Harumi; Lundin, Sean-Thomas B.; Ahn, So-Jin; Takagaki, Atsushi; Kikuchi, Ryuji; Oyama, Shigeo Ted (MDPI, 2019-11-03)
The effect on the gas permeance properties and structural morphology of the presence of methyl functional groups in a silica membrane was studied. Membranes were synthesized via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at 650 °C and atmospheric pressure using three silicon compounds with differing numbers of methyl- and methoxy-functional groups: tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS), and dimethyldimethoxysilane (DMDMOS). The residence time of the silica precursors in the CVD process was adjusted for each precursor and optimized in terms of gas permeance and ideal gas selectivity criteria. Final H₂ permeances at 600 °C for the TMOS-, MTMOS-, and DMDMOS-derived membranes were respectively 1.7 × 10⁻⁷, 2.4 × 10⁻⁷, and 4.4 × 10⁻⁸ mol∙m⁻²∙s⁻¹∙Pa⁻¹ and H₂/N₂ selectivities were 990, 740, and 410. The presence of methyl groups in the membranes fabricated with the MTMOS and DMDMOS precursors was confirmed via Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. From FTIR analysis, an increasing methyl signal in the silica structure was correlated with both an improvement in the hydrothermal stability and an increase in the apparent activation energy for hydrogen permeation. In addition, the permeation mechanism for several gas species (He, H₂, Ne, CO₂, N₂, and CH₄) was determined by fitting the gas permeance temperature dependence to one of three models: solid state, gas-translational, or surface diffusion.
Gas-Phase Epoxidation of Ethylene and Propylene
Gaudet, Jason (Virginia Tech, 2010-10-21)
Catalysts consisting of silver on α-Al₂O₃, α-SiC, and β-SiC supports were synthesized and tested for catalytic performance in the gas-phase direct oxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide. For this study, which used no promoters, ethylene oxidation selectivity of SiC-supported catalysts ranged from 10 to 60% and conversion from 0-4.5%. Silicon carbide supported catalysts exhibited poor performance except for a surface-modified β-SiC-supported catalyst, which demonstrated conversion and selectivity similar to that of an α-Al₂O₃-supported catalyst. This Ag/β-SiC catalyst was further investigated with a kinetic study, and the reaction orders were found to be 0.18 with respect to ethylene and 0.34 with respect to oxygen. The kinetic results were consistent with Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate expressions developed from single-site and dual-site reaction mechanisms. Gold nanoparticles on titanium oxide and titania-silica supports are active for the formation of propylene oxide by the oxidation of propylene with hydrogen and oxygen mixtures. This study investigates the effect of cyanide treatment on gold supported on titanosilicate zeolite supports (Au/TS-1). Catalysts treated with weak solutions of sodium cyanide resulted in preferential removal of small gold particles, while catalysts treated with strong solutions resulted in dissolution of the gold and re-precipitation as gold (+1) cyanide. X-ray absorption spectroscopy demonstrated that catalysts which produce propylene oxide in the presence of hydrogen and oxygen mixtures had supported gold (+3) oxide nanoparticles of 3 nm size after synthesis, which were reduced to gold metal at reaction conditions. Samples treated with strong solutions of sodium cyanide resulted in supported gold (+1) cyanide particles of large size, 9-11 nm. These particles did not produce propylene oxide but, surprisingly, showed high selectivity toward propylene hydrogenation. Increasing gold (+1) cyanide particle size resulted in a decrease in hydrogenation activity. TS-1 and Au/TS-1 surfaces were studied with laser Raman spectroscopy. Surface fluorescence was substantially reduced with a low-temperature ozone treatment, allowing observation of titanosilicate framework bands. Hydrocarbon vibrations are observed for TS-1 and Au/TS-1 under propylene. Density functional theory models indicated that propylene adsorbed to a metal site along the Ï bond would show a Raman spectrum very similar to gas-phase propylene except for out-of-plane C-H vibrations, which would be moved to higher energy. This adsorption spectrum, with out-of-plane vibrations shifted to higher energy, was observed for both TS-1 and Au/TS-1. Langmuir adsorption isotherms were generated for both TS-1 and Au/TS-1, and a scaling factor derived from propylene uptake experiments allowed these isotherms to be scaled to propylene coverage of titanium.
Geometric and Electronic Structure Sensitivity of Methyl and Methylene Reactions on α-Cr₂O₃ and α-Fe₂O₃ surfaces
Dong, Yujung (Virginia Tech, 2012-09-19)
Structural and electronic effects in hydrocarbon reactions over metal oxides have been examined by comparing the reactions of methyl (-CH₃) and methylene (=CH₂) fragments on three different oxide single crystal surfaces: α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2), α-Cr₂O₃(0001), and α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2). The intermediates have been generated through the decomposition of halogenated hydrocarbons. The primary reactions of methyl and methylene over α-Cr₂O₃ are methyl dehydrogenation to methylene, and methylene coupling (C-C bond formation) to ethylene (CH₂=CH₂). The different surface geometric structures of α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2) and (0001) lead to an increase in the activation barrier for methylene surface migration, a critical step in the coupling reaction, of 5.9 kcal/mol over the (0001) surface. For methyl dehydrogenation, differences in the local site pair (cation/anion) geometry and the proximity of surface lattice oxygen to the methyl group do not result in a significant difference in the barrier for dehydrogenation, suggesting that the surface anions play a minor role in the dehydrogenation of methyl on these surfaces. Electronic differences in the Fe³⁺ (𝑑⁵) and Cr³⁺ (𝑑³) cations on structurally-similar α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2) and α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2) surfaces lead to major differences in reaction selectivity. α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2) is nonreducible under the reaction conditions of this study, but α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2) is highly reducible due to the difference in the d electron configuration. Hydrocarbons are formed over α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2), but nonselective oxidation products (CO₂, CO, H₂O) are formed over the stoichiometric α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2) surface along with surface reduction. Reduction of the α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2) leads to a shift in the product selectivity towards formaldehyde (CH₂O) and ethylene. For the limited number of systems examined in this study, examples of geometric structure sensitive (methylene coupling) and structure insensitive (methyl dehydrogenation) reactions have been found on α-Cr₂O₃, and electronic effects are observed for the reactions on α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2) and α-Fe₂O₃. For the structure sensitive reaction, the differences in surface geometry impact the reactions kinetics over Cr₂O₃ but not the types of products formed, while the electronic differences give rise to dramatic changes in the selectivity associated with the very different products formed over α-Cr₂O₃(101̅2) and α-Fe₂O₃(101̅2).
Halocarbon Reactions on the Chromium (III) Oxide (101̲2) Surface
York, Steven C. (Virginia Tech, 1999-08-13)
A nearly stoichiometric, (1×1) Cr₂O₃ (101̲2) surface was prepared from a single crystal of α-Cr₂O₃. The five-coordinate cations exposed at the stoichiometric surface dissociatively adsorb molecular oxygen to form a (1×1), terminating chromyl (Cr=O) layer that is stable to >1100 K. TDS and AES were used to investigate the reactivity of the halo-alkanes CFCl₂CH₂Cl, CF₂ClCH₂Cl, CF₃CH₂Cl, and CF₂CH₂F, in addition to the halo-alkenes CFCl=CH₂ and CF₂=CH₂. The halo-alkanes CFCl₂CH₂Cl, CF₂ClCH₂Cl, and CF₃CH₂Cl undergo 1,2-dihalo elimination similar to the Zn-catalyzed dehalogenation of vicinal dihalides to form alkenes. Some acetylene is also formed. The halo-alkenes CFCl=CH₂ and CF₂=CH₂ decompose to yield acetylene. Halogen removed from the molecules remains bound to the surface following TDS experiments and eventually terminates the surface chemistry due to site blocking of the cations. Reactivity is directly related to the chlorine content of the molecules investigated. Only CFCl₂CH₂Cl was reactive on a chromyl-terminated surface.
Haloethane Reactions over the Chromia Cr₂O₃ (1012) Surface
Ma, Qiang (Virginia Tech, 2005-08-11)
Ethyl iodide and ethyl chloride have been used as reactants to produce ethyl fragments on the stoichiometric α-Cr₂O₃ (1012) surface by means of thermal dissociation. Ethyl iodide is dissociated giving iodine adatoms and ethyl fragments bound to surface Cr cation sites, while ethyl chloride is dissociated giving chlorine adatoms and ethyl fragments. No oxygenated products are observed in thermal desorption, suggesting the 3-coordinate lattice oxygen on the stoichiometric α-Cr₂O₃ (1012) surface is very stable, and no nucleophilic attack occurs at the carbon atoms on surface ethyl fragments. For both reactants, the only reaction products observed are ethylene gas (CH₂=CH₂), ethane gas (CH₃-CH₃), hydrogen gas (H₂) and halogen adatoms (Cl_ads or I_ads). In thermal desorption experiments, all the gas phase products from ethyl chloride are produced in a reaction-limited, high temperature desorption feature attributed to a rate limiting β-hydride elimination from surface ethyl fragments. Similar product desorption features are observed for the reaction of ethyl iodide. However, the reaction of ethyl iodide also produces ethylene and ethane via a low temperature, desorption-limited reaction channel. It is postulated that I adatoms produced in the reaction of ethyl iodide thermal desorption might somehow promote a low temperature route to products that Cl adatoms do not.
High Permeability/High Diffusivity Mixed Matrix Membranes For Gas Separations
Kim, Sangil (Virginia Tech, 2007-03-22)
The vast majority of commercial gas separation membrane systems are polymeric because of processing feasibility and cost. However, polymeric membranes designed for gas separations have been known to have a trade-off between permeability and selectivity as shown in Robeson's upper bound curves. The search for membrane materials that transcend Robeson's upper bound has been the critical issue in research focused on membranes for gas separation in the past decade. To that end, many researchers have explored the idea of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). These membranes combine a polymer matrix with inorganic molecular sieves such as zeolites. The ideal filler material in MMMs should have excellent properties as a gas adsorbent or a molecular sieve, good dispersion properties in the polymer matrix of submicron thickness, and should form high quality interfaces with the polymer matrix. In order to increase gas permeance and selectivity of polymeric membranes by fabricating MMMs, we have fabricated mixed matrix membranes using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nano-sized mesoporous silica. Mixed matrix membranes containing randomly oriented CNTs showed that addition of nanotubes to a polymer matrix could improve its selectivity properties as well as permeability by increasing diffusivity. Overall increases in permeance and diffusivity for all tested gases suggested that carbon nanotubes can provide high diffusivity tunnels in the CNT within the polymer matrix. This result agreed well with molecular simulation estimations. In order to prepare ordered CNTs membranes, we have developed a simple, fast, commercially attractive, and scalable orientation method. The oriented CNT membrane sample showed higher permeability by one order of magnitude than the value predicted by a Knudsen model. This CNT membrane showed higher selectivities for CO₂ over other gas molecules because of preferential interaction of CO₂ with the amine functionalized nanotubes, demonstrating practical applications in gas separations. Recently, mesoporous molecular sieves have been used in MMMs to enhance permeability or selectivity. However, due to their micrometer scale in particle size, the composite membrane was extremely brittle and tended to crack at higher silica loading. In this study, we have developed fabrication techniques to prepare MMMs containing mesoporous MCM-41 nanoparticles on the order of ~50 nm in size. This smaller nanoparticle lead to higher polymer/particle interfacial area and provides opportunity to synthesize higher loading of molecular sieves in polymer matrix up to ~80 vol%. At 80 vol% of nano-sized MCM-41 silica loading, the permeability of the membrane increased dramatically by 300 %. Despite these increases in permeability, the separation factor of the MMMs changed only slightly. Therefore, these nanoscale molecular sieves are more suitable for commercialization of MMMs with very thin selective layers than are micro-sized zeolites or molecular sieves.

Browsing by Author "Oyama, Shigeo Ted"

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