Presentation Type
Poster
Palladium and Nickel Catalysts for Hydrocarbon Decomposition
Abstract
The increasing need for renewable energy has lead to the development of catalysts composed of a wide variety of different metals and metal oxides. In our studies, we have investigated various aspects of Pd and Ni catalysts for hydrocarbon decomposition, which is an important part of biomass gasification and its subsequent cleanup. In one set of experiments, we synthesize size-controlled Pd nanoparticles via a polyol synthesis to study size-related phenomena of methane reforming. The size of Pd nanocrystals is controlled by the ratio of Pd precursors used in because the Pd2+ nucleates faster than Pd4+. In the second part, we characterize, by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, alumina-supported Ni catalysts as a function of time-on-stream and regenerations to better understand the deactivation phenomena. Our analyses suggest both sulfur poisoning and solid-state reactions between Ni and alumina occur to form less active materials.
Categories
Engineering/Physical Science
Research Type
Thesis
Mentor Information
Dr. John Kuhn
Palladium and Nickel Catalysts for Hydrocarbon Decomposition
The increasing need for renewable energy has lead to the development of catalysts composed of a wide variety of different metals and metal oxides. In our studies, we have investigated various aspects of Pd and Ni catalysts for hydrocarbon decomposition, which is an important part of biomass gasification and its subsequent cleanup. In one set of experiments, we synthesize size-controlled Pd nanoparticles via a polyol synthesis to study size-related phenomena of methane reforming. The size of Pd nanocrystals is controlled by the ratio of Pd precursors used in because the Pd2+ nucleates faster than Pd4+. In the second part, we characterize, by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, alumina-supported Ni catalysts as a function of time-on-stream and regenerations to better understand the deactivation phenomena. Our analyses suggest both sulfur poisoning and solid-state reactions between Ni and alumina occur to form less active materials.
