Arrangement of Metal Surface Atoms Shown to Shape Catalytic Performance

Outcome/Accomplishment

The physical arrangement of metal atoms on the surfaces of catalysts can change the performance of the catalytic particles, according to research at the Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources (CISTAR), an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) based at Purdue University.

Impact/Benefits

CISTAR is investigating several new alloy and metal catalysts, which will operate at the high temperatures necessary for ethane dehydrogenation. The ability of CISTAR researchers to demonstrate the relative performance of different arrangements of metal atoms may point to optimal arrangements to achieve desired catalytic properties, particularly for the conversion of shale gas to chemicals used in industry.

Explanation/Background

CISTAR experimental and theoretical research teams from Purdue showed that the arrangement of palladium atoms on the surface of nanoparticles of palladium alloys controls the catalytic performance of these particles. The results show that alloys with smaller groups of palladium atoms on the surface more easily convert shale gas to desired chemicals.

CISTAR Fellows from Purdue (Stephen Purdy, Ranga Seemakurthi) have shown that smaller clusters of palladium atoms on the surface of alloy nanocatalysts can more efficiently convert shale gas to useful

Location

West Lafayette, Indiana

e-mail

cistar@purdue.edu

website

https://cistar.us/

Start Year

Energy and Sustainability

Energy and Sustainability Icon
Energy and Sustainability Icon

Energy and Sustainability

Lead Institution

Purdue University

Core Partners

University of New Mexico, Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, University of Texas at Austin

Fact Sheet

CISTAR Fact Sheet.pdf
CISTAR Fellows from Purdue (Stephen Purdy, Ranga Seemakurthi) have shown that smaller clusters of palladium atoms on the surface of alloy nanocatalysts can more efficiently convert shale gas to useful

Outcome/Accomplishment

The physical arrangement of metal atoms on the surfaces of catalysts can change the performance of the catalytic particles, according to research at the Center for Innovative and Strategic Transformation of Alkane Resources (CISTAR), an NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) based at Purdue University.

Location

West Lafayette, Indiana

e-mail

cistar@purdue.edu

website

https://cistar.us/

Start Year

Energy and Sustainability

Energy and Sustainability Icon
Energy and Sustainability Icon

Energy and Sustainability

Lead Institution

Purdue University

Core Partners

University of New Mexico, Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, University of Texas at Austin

Fact Sheet

CISTAR Fact Sheet.pdf

Impact/benefits

CISTAR is investigating several new alloy and metal catalysts, which will operate at the high temperatures necessary for ethane dehydrogenation. The ability of CISTAR researchers to demonstrate the relative performance of different arrangements of metal atoms may point to optimal arrangements to achieve desired catalytic properties, particularly for the conversion of shale gas to chemicals used in industry.

Explanation/Background

CISTAR experimental and theoretical research teams from Purdue showed that the arrangement of palladium atoms on the surface of nanoparticles of palladium alloys controls the catalytic performance of these particles. The results show that alloys with smaller groups of palladium atoms on the surface more easily convert shale gas to desired chemicals.