Hydrogen Free Selective Hydrogenation: Step Changing Innovation in Catalysis by Gold
Lead Research Organisation:
Heriot-Watt University
Department Name: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Abstract
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People |
ORCID iD |
| Mark Keane (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Keane M
(2018)
Overcoming the limitations of gold catalysts in hydrogenation: enhanced activity with full hydrogen utilization
in Reaction Kinetics, Mechanisms and Catalysis
Li M
(2018)
Role of Support Oxygen Vacancies in the Gas Phase Hydrogenation of Furfural over Gold.
in Catalysis letters
Li M
(2018)
Combined catalytic action of supported Cu and Au in imine production from coupled benzyl alcohol and nitrobenzene reactions
in Applied Catalysis A: General
| Description | Successful coupling of catalytic dehydrogenation (over supported Cu) with utilization of the hydrogen generated in the selective hydrogenation (over supported Au) of biomass derived aldehydes. Work has established control of dehydrogenation rate by tuning the nature of the Cu support (in terms of acidity and reducibility). The overall hydrogenation rate in the coupled system exceeds that achieved by conventional stand-alone hydrogenation. This was established using physical mixtures of supported Cu and supported Au catalysts. Altering the Cu/Au ratio can tune hydrogenation performance. A further enhancement of rate has been demonstrated using supported Cu-Au bimetallics with full utilization of hydrogen. Initial work coupling 2-butanol hydrogenation with furfural derivatives has been extended to consider the dehydrogenation of longer chain alcohols, cyclic alcohols and polyols in tandem with the hydrogenation of furfural derivatives. The award is still active and work is on-going to fully characterize the active site in order to inform process optimization. |
| Exploitation Route | The coupled system exhibits full hydrogen utilization and circumvents use of compressed H2, which has important safety implications for large scale chemical production. Moreover, coupling generates two valuable products in one unit operation and facilitates process intensification. Harnessing the catalytic ultra-selectivity of supported Au with innovation in chemical coupling can facilitate cleaner, safer and atom and energy efficient chemical production. This technology offers a sustainable alternative to address current over-reliance on fossil fuels. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | The success of the work conducted has led to an article in Research Features (October 2017, pp 70-73) and an invitation to present a keynote lecture at GSCCE-2018. The results generated (notably successful coupling of dehydrogenation with hydrogenation) are under consideration by industrial collaborators (Syngenta and Sasol). |
| First Year Of Impact | 2018 |
| Sector | Chemicals,Education,Energy |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Application of surface science techniques in heterogeneous catalyst development. |
| Organisation | University of St Andrews |
| Department | School of Chemistry St Andrews |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Demonstration of ultra-selectivity in hydrogenation over oxide supported Au particles in the range <1-10 nm. The nano-scale Au is 100% selective in the continuous gas phase hydrogenation of furfural to furfuryl alcohol where turnover frequency (TOF) showed a dependence on the oxide support. Coupling this reaction with 2-butanol dehydrogenation over a physical combination of supported Au and supported Cu and supported Au-Cu bimetallics generated 2-butanone and furfuryl alcohol as sole products. Tests have demonstrated: (a) an up to six-fold higher reaction rates for the coupled system relative to conventional systems that use excess pressurised hydrogen; (b) orders of magnitude improvement in efficiency with full hydrogen utilization, |
| Collaborator Contribution | Gain a mechanistic understanding of coupled dehydrogenation/hydrogenation over Cu and Au catalysts using high precision surface analytical tools and in situ characterisation of the catalyst surfaces. This has involved TPD, RAIRS, STM and XPS measurements of model systems. Application of DRIFTS/MS provides information of surface interactions under catalytic conditions. |
| Impact | Multi-disciplinary: chemical engineering/chemistry. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Article (Research Features) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Feature article (title:"Cleaner Pathways to Chemical Synthesis via New Generation Catalysts" In Research Trends October 2017, pp-70-73. Article highlighted the work conduced as part of this grant, providing wider context and potential impact with a Question & Answer section. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Presentation (Abu Dhabi) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at GSCCE-2018, Abu Dhabi, February 2018. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation (Florence) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation (title: "Sustainable Conversion of Biomass Platform Chemicals") at the 13th European Congress on Catalysis, Florence, August 2017. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Presentation (Muscat) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation (title: "Sustainable Hydrogen Free Catalytic Hydrogenation for the Production of Fine Chemicals") at Green and Sustainable Chemistry, Muscat, November 2017. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |