Plasmonic catalysis for hydrogenation reactions

Certain nanoparticles are able to interact with visible light through plasmonic resonance, these are typically metals such as gold, silver, and copper. These metals are popular in a wide range of industrial catalytic applications. It has been recently evidenced in the literature that the plasmonic excitation of catalysts can provide a lower energy reaction pathway for a diverse collection of reactions, however traditionally utilised materials are not optimised for both heat and light driven reactions.
The aim of this project is to develop an understanding of the catalyst structure to optimise both light absorption and catalytic activity, reducing the need to heat reaction mixtures to high temperatures. The focus of this research will be catalytic hydrogenations, with an aim to determine if the commonly used Pd catalysts could be replaced with non-precious metals such as Cu. This project aims to increase understanding of the structure activity relationship that gives rise to enhancements with light; by analysing the effects of support material, methods of catalyst synthesis, and changing the material and make-up of the nanoparticles themselves. The catalyst selectivity will be explored by the use of a range of organic molecules, moving towards more complex structures as the project develops. This approach could lead to new reaction pathways not previously accessible in the absence of a significant heat input. As part of the CSCT (Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies) this project has sustainability orientated aims. An example of this is the focus on the catalytic conversion of a range of biomass derived molecules. The idea of replacing Pd with Cu, and reducing the energy (heat) input for a number of industrially relevant reactions demonstrates that this project has the potential to contribute to new, less environmentally impacting, technologies. This project is funded by the EPSRC, and ties in with working towards the council's ambitions of working towards a sustainable and circular economy by utilising resources such as biomass, and that we should also be managing our finite resources such as rare/ precious metals.