Mesoporous solid acid catalysts for alkylation and dehydration reactions

Solid acids are used as catalysts for a wide range of industrial chemical processes, such as the alkylation of isobutene with olefins to generate high octane blending stocks for premium gasoline.  Zeolites are the most common type of solid acid. However, these materials will not work with bulkier substrates or products since the pore diameter is so small (<2 nm). A mesoporous material, with a pore diameter of 2-50 nm, is needed to facilitate diffusion and conversion of bulkier substrates and products.

Dr. Subramaniam’s group has synthesized new solid acid catalysts by incorporating metals into ordered mesoporous silicas.  The REU students will have the chance to explore various applications for these materials, such as the alkylation of 1-butene and isobutane (shale gas derived reactants) to isooctane (a gasoline additive) and the dehydration of biomass-derived glycerol to acrolein (a polymer precursor). Students will learn how to synthesize and evaluate these catalytic materials using GC/FID and HPLC techniques, thermogravimetric analysis, and N2 physisorption.  Dr. Subramaniam has expertise in conducting economic and life cycle assessments, and students will learn how understanding such data is critical for effective research and business decision-making.