The UK Catalysis Hub
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen's University Belfast
Department Name: Sch of Chemistry and Chemical Eng
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Guan S
(2018)
Structural behaviour of copper chloride catalysts during the chlorination of CO to phosgene.
in Faraday discussions
Guan S
(2021)
The interaction of CO with a copper(ii) chloride oxy-chlorination catalyst.
in Faraday discussions
Guo Z
(2019)
Understanding the Role of Internal Diffusion Barriers in Pt/Beta Zeolite Catalyzed Isomerization of n -Heptane
in Angewandte Chemie
Guo Z
(2020)
Understanding the Role of Internal Diffusion Barriers in Pt/Beta Zeolite Catalyzed Isomerization of n-Heptane.
in Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)
Hawkins A
(2018)
Investigation of the Dynamics of 1-Octene Adsorption at 293 K in a ZSM-5 Catalyst by Inelastic and Quasielastic Neutron Scattering
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Hawkins AP
(2019)
Low-temperature studies of propene oligomerization in ZSM-5 by inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy.
in RSC advances
Hinde CS
(2015)
Utilizing Benign Oxidants for Selective Aerobic Oxidations Using Heterogenized Platinum Nanoparticle Catalysts.
in ChemPlusChem
Howe RF
(2018)
Reactions of Dimethylether in Single Crystals of the Silicoaluminophosphate STA-7 Studied via Operando Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy.
in Topics in catalysis
Hunns J
(2016)
Hierarchical mesoporous Pd/ZSM-5 for the selective catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of m-cresol to methylcyclohexane
in Catalysis Science & Technology
| Description | Catalysis is a core area of current science, engineering and technology that has substantial economic and societal impact, underpinning £50 billion of products annually in UK manufacturing industry. Although rooted in chemistry and chemical engineering, catalytic science is now strongly multidisciplinary drawing strongly from materials and bio-sciences. The aim of the Energy theme is to develop fundamental knowledge regarding energy supply and security which lies at the heart of concerns for society as a whole and this theme will address how catalysis can and will play a central role in this important topic. |
| Exploitation Route | The Energy theme of the Catalysis hub is accessing new methods for reforming processes, fuel cells using long chain alcohols derived from biobased sources, biofuels and life cycle assessment for the processes developed. These new catalytic processes will enable step changes in our ability to utilise biobased energy vectors in the future and make a reall assessment as to the environmental and economic impact of the new technology. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Construction,Energy,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport |
| Description | The Catalysis Hub was founded with EPSRC funding in 2013 with three main aims: • To establish a world-leading, comprehensive and coordinated programme of catalytic science in the UK. • To develop new knowledge and promote innovation in and translation of catalytic science and technology. • To enable the UK to regain and retain a world leading position in catalysis. The Hub has fully achieved these objectives: it has coordinated and developed the UK Catalysis community; it has established strong and enduring interactions with UK industry; and it is now widely known and recognised internationally. Key to its success has been its inclusivity, its effective management structure (described in more detail in the Annex) and its physical hub, based in the Research Complex (RCaH) on the Harwell campus. Its network of forty-one university groups around the UK now includes the great majority of academic catalytic scientists, while its wide ranging scientific programme is increasingly integrating the different fields within catalytic science. Its physical centre at the Harwell campus has provided a focus for the community and has facilitated the application to catalytic science of the world-class neutron, synchrotron and laser facilities on the campus. Through its scientific programme and its wide ranging and vibrant programme of activities including conferences, specialised workshops and outreach activities, the Hub has energised a broad community of scientists and facilitated wide ranging collaboration through multidisciplinary and multi-institution projects.An example of the approach that the Hub science has delivered in the first phase has been the utilisation of non-thermal plasmas for the activation of water gas shift catalysis (C.E. Stere, et al. Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. (2017) 56, 5579). This study identified the role of the plasma in the reactions and facilitated an understanding of the possible reaction mechanisms involved as well as the impact of Joule heating. Importantly, the study involved a combination of theory and catalytic testing with the development of new in-situ characterisation techniques which could operate in the presence of the plasma. Therein, the activity over a Au/CeZrO4 catalyst at 25 °C was comparable with that attained by heating the catalyst to ~180 oC. Moreover, CO conversion observed (~70%) was much higher than that obtained at 100 oC (~20%) which was the catalyst temperature measured as a result of the Joule heating (Figure 1). This process, therefore, provides an opportunity for the hydrogen production to be obtained under conditions where the thermodynamic limitations are minimal. Using in-situ DRIFTS, structural changes associated with the gold nanoparticles in the catalyst were observed which were not found under thermal activation indicating a weakening of the Au-CO bond due to the plasma leading to an increased stability of the catalyst with time on stream. In addition, density functional theory calculations indicated that the activation of the water in the gas phase to form, for example H2Ox+ was a likely route to the high activities observed at low temperature. An example of the approach that the Hub science has delivered in the first phase has been the utilisation of non-thermal plasmas for the activation of water gas shift catalysis (C.E. Stere, et al. Angew. Chemie Int. Ed. (2017) 56, 5579). This study identified the role of the plasma in the reactions and facilitated an understanding of the possible reaction mechanisms involved as well as the impact of Joule heating. Importantly, the study involved a combination of theory and catalytic testing with the development of new in-situ characterisation techniques which could operate in the presence of the plasma. Therein, the activity over a Au/CeZrO4 catalyst at 25 °C was comparable with that attained by heating the catalyst to ~180 oC. Moreover, CO conversion observed (~70%) was much higher than that obtained at 100 oC (~20%) which was the catalyst temperature measured as a result of the Joule heating (Figure 1). This process, therefore, provides an opportunity for the hydrogen production to be obtained under conditions where the thermodynamic limitations are minimal. Using in-situ DRIFTS, structural changes associated with the gold nanoparticles in the catalyst were observed which were not found under thermal activation indicating a weakening of the Au-CO bond due to the plasma leading to an increased stability of the catalyst with time on stream. In addition, density functional theory calculations indicated that the activation of the water in the gas phase to form, for example H2Ox+ was a likely route to the high activities observed at low temperature. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2014 |
| Sector | Chemicals,Energy,Environment,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology,Transport |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Description | Chair Royal Society Policy Briefing |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| URL | https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/low-carbon-energy-programme/sustainable-synthetic-ca... |
| Title | Investigation of MoOx/Al2O3 under Cyclic Operation for Oxidative and Non-Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane |
| Description | |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| URL | http://researchdata.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/1092 |
| Description | University of California, Berkeley |
| Organisation | University of California, Berkeley |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Purpose: To achieve skills of Pt nanocatalysts preparation with controlled size and shape by colloidal chemistry and to learn new skills about catalyst characterization. Doing this is to develop Pt/(sulfated ZrO2) bifunctional catalysts for one-pot conversion of bio-derived sugar chemicals to value-added products. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Outcome: Achieved the experimental skills of preparing Pt nanocatalysts with controlled sizes (2 nm, 4 nm, 6 nm, and 8 nm) and shapes (porous, cubic, and cuboctahedra) and brought back as-made Pt/ZrO2 catalysts to test and compare with equivalent Pt/silica (SiO2 and SBA-15) catalysts in glucose hydrogenation. Paved the way for potential research collaboration with researchers in UCB and LBNL. |
| Impact | None |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | ICC conference 2016 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Conference presentation |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Open Day, Harwell Campus, STFC and diamond, |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | the site-wide Harwell Open day had a Catalysis Marquee whihc was visisted by 1500 people |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Talk at UKCC 2018 and 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at the UK catalysis conference disseminating results to the academic and catalysis community |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | UKCC |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Organisation of the UK Catalysis Conference |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017 |