Functional bionanomaterials and novel processing for targeted catalytic applications
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Sch of Biosciences
Abstract
Commercial catalysts are often based on metallic nanoparticles which have unusual and highly reactive properties due to their high proportion of surface atoms as compared to buried ones. Catalytic reactions occur at or just below surfaces and are helped by the crystal surface having defect sites and kinks. The exact architecture of the kinks can help in molecular recognition between the catalyst and its substrate, and help to make a particular form of the product molecule (called an enantiomer) over its mirror image 'twin'. Industry needs enantiomeric selectivity, and also better ways to make C-C bonds; both would become possible using a new type of nanoparticle based on bacteria. It is difficult to make nanoparticles chemically as they want to aggregate. When this happens the special properties are lost. Usually 'helper' chemicals ('passivant ligands') are needed. Bacteria can overcome this need. They can biomanufacture nanoparticles using enzymes and also support the nanoparticles by providing their own passivants. The catalytic bionanoparticles can be employed as catalysts by using the metallised bacteria as small (~2 microns) bodies in suspension (they can be recovered using a magnet), or by growing them first as a biofilm on (e.g) beads or monoliths and then metallising to form a catalytic nano-coating. Nothing is known yet about the surface structures of the bionanocrystals but they are excellent catalysts. Using novel processing by our industrial partner, we hope to make a completely new class of materials(superbionanocatalysts). We will test these in 4 important reactions where there are strong industrial needs, e.g. (a) enantiomeric selections and (b) a reaction which normally require high temperature and pressures. (a) Usually uses precious metal catalysts and (b) uses a catalyst based on iron; in the nanoworld these can often be used interchangeably (or together) because the same atomic-scale processes are involved. Effects of this are seen in magnetic (as well as catalytic) properties (a very useful diagnostic probe), while another facet is unravelled via an electrochemical 'dialogue' between the nanocrystal and the experimenter. These become even more interesting when the bacteria make 'bimetallics' (combining 2 metals); these often have greatly enhanced properties. We will look at bio-bimetallics for catalysis and also as fuel cell catalysts to make clean energy. Reactions involving Fe catalysts are special. They depend on the exact type of Fe used (the mineral phase); bacteria can make specific mineral phases to order. The catalytic reaction uses an activated form of hydrogen which normally only happens at high temperatures; small particles of ferric oxide are partially reduced by the active H to give some Fe metal (the catalyst; detected magnetically). Commercially, H is made from 'cracking' natural gas but this H contains traces of catalyst poisons. Biologically-made H is poison-free and the use of Bio-H will also help to extend catalyst life. We will make new, robust, superior, catalytic materials but, importantly, we will also relate the new crystal and nano structures to improved functions, applying a full range of solid state analytical methods to complement the magnetic and electrochemical ones. By understanding pivotal molecular processes in the nanoworld we can then design better catalysts for other commercial applications too.
Organisations
Publications
Bennett J
(2012)
Improving Selectivity in 2-Butyne-1,4-diol Hydrogenation using Biogenic Pt Catalysts
in ACS Catalysis
Bennett J
(2010)
Palladium supported on bacterial biomass as a novel heterogeneous catalyst: A comparison of Pd/Al2O3 and bio-Pd in the hydrogenation of 2-pentyne
in Chemical Engineering Science
Bennett J
(2013)
Nanoparticles of palladium supported on bacterial biomass: New re-usable heterogeneous catalyst with comparable activity to homogeneous colloidal Pd in the Heck reaction
in Applied Catalysis B: Environmental
Creamer N
(2007)
Novel supported Pd hydrogenation bionanocatalyst for hybrid homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysis
in Catalysis Today
Creamer N
(2011)
Local magnetism in palladium bionanomaterials probed by muon spectroscopy
in Biotechnology Letters
Deplanche K
(2011)
Selective Oxidation of Benzyl-Alcohol over Biomass-Supported Au/Pd Bioinorganic Catalysts
in Topics in Catalysis
Deplanche K
(2012)
Microbial synthesis of core/shell gold/palladium nanoparticles for applications in green chemistry.
in Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Type Of Art | Image |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Impact | Nil |
Description | Bacteria can make nano metallic catalysts. These can have greater activity thanm classically prepared catalysts and can even be made using metallic waste sources |
Exploitation Route | via Innpvate UK via EU funding |
Sectors | Chemicals,Energy,Environment |
Description | Nil |
Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in systematic reviews |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £528,865 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I007806/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £159,200 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H029567/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £528,865 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/I007806/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £159,200 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H029567/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £4,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | London Technology Network |
Amount | £17,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | London Technology Network |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Resources Recovery from Wastes |
Amount | £803,112 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/L012537/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2014 |
End | 05/2017 |
Description | Responsive mode |
Amount | £634,636 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/J008303/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2012 |
End | 06/2015 |
Description | University of Birmingham |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | gateway Fund |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | University of Birmingham |
Amount | £23,724 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Knowledge transfer secondment |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | University of Birmingham |
Amount | £19,800 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Path for delivery of impact |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Nil |
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Nil |
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
IP Reference | |
Protection | Protection not required |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Nil |
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Type | Products with applications outside of medicine |
Current Stage Of Development | Initial development |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2014 |
Development Status | On hold |
Impact | Nil |
Title | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Type Of Technology | New Material/Compound |
Year Produced | 2014 |
Impact | Nil |
Company Name | Nil |
Description | Nil |
Year Established | 2014 |
Impact | Nil |
Description | ASE conference Jan 2014. Presentation 'Biology in the real world' |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Talk sparked questions and discussion afterwards Some of audience reported a better understanding and appreciation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Association of Science Educators Conference Jan 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | very interactive live demonstrations with working models sparked much interest among school teachers etc Several Schools asked if we could take the exhibit round to them but this was not possible due to manpower limitations and the administration involved |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | BBC World Service Jan 2014 appearance on The Forum' weekly programme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Result is accessing a global audience Public profile of our work is enhanced |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |