EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/R011710/1
Title: Metal Nanoparticle - MOF Templates; Tailored Routes to Controlled Nanocomposites for Catalysis
Principal Investigator: Wells, Dr P
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Johnson Matthey
Department: Sch of Chemistry
Organisation: University of Southampton
Scheme: First Grant - Revised 2009
Starts: 18 January 2018 Ends: 31 March 2019 Value (£): 93,351
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Catalysis & Applied Catalysis
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Manufacturing Chemicals
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
13 Sep 2017 EPSRC Physical Sciences - September 2017 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
The drive towards more sustainable technologies relies on developing improved catalytic materials; greater activity and selectivity to desired products with ever decreasing amounts of expensive catalyst metals. Supported metal nanoparticles are a cornerstone within the field of heterogeneous catalysis; the metal support interaction aids the stability of the catalyst and promotes chemical reactions. Controlling the interface of composite structures is a key part of this synergy between metal nanoparticle and metal oxide support. Supported metal nanoparticles are most commonly prepared by the impregnation of metal oxide hosts, followed by a thermal activation. The concept of the project is to use metal nanoparticles supported on MOFs as templates. The intention is to remove the organic linkers through chemical means, i.e. by introducing strong reductants such as NaBH4, producing tailored nanocomposites. Indeed, we have recently performed a proof-of-concept study where we were able to prepare PdCu/Cu2O nanocomposites from Pd/Cu-BTC templates. The programme of work will:

(i) Show how systematic variations to preparation conditions influences the composite structure.

(ii) Demonstrate their importance for emerging catalytic applications in sustainable energy generation (i.e formic acid decomposition).

(iii) Use advanced characterisation under process conditions to understand the formation of the composite structure and how the structures evolve during catalysis.

Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.soton.ac.uk