Engineering topics

Hall, Jacklyn N.

Publications and source records attributed to Hall, Jacklyn N..

11 records

DOE OSTI2024

Heterogeneous Organochromium Catalysts for Stereoselective Isoprene Polymerization

In this study, heterogeneous organochromium catalysts have been developed via surface lithiation of traditional surface organometallic complexes to mediate stereoselective isoprene polymerization. Chemisorption of the molecular complex Cr(CH 2 SiMe 3 ) 4 on high surface area anatase titania nanoparticles as well as on a silica support led to the bipodal complexes Cr/TiO 2 and Cr/SiO 2 , respectively. Subsequent reductive lithium intercalation with n-butyllithium led to the formation of lower valent Cr 2+ species Cr/LTO and Cr/Li/SiO 2 . Alternatively, Cr(CH 2 SiMe 3 ) 4 was allowed to react with nBuLi-reduced anatase titania (LTO) to provide Cr/LTO Inv . Cr/LTO and Cr/Li/SiO 2 both polymerize isoprene with very high activities (154 and 174 kg molCr –1 h –1 , respectively) to provide polyisoprene with cis-1,4 selectivity up to 82% in toluene at 50 °C. On the other hand, Cr/SiO 2 provides polyisoprene with excellent trans-1,4 selectivity up to 98% (16 kg molCr –1 h –1 ), and Cr/TiO 2 was catalytically inactive. Cr/LTO Inv is less active and selective, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements of the precatalyst revealed the presence of a mixture of metallic Cr 0 , Cr 4+ , and only minor Cr 2+ species. Thus, surface lithiation can promote the formation of lower valent metal centers which enable stereocontrol in isoprene polymerizations and may be extended as a general protocol to other catalytic systems.

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DOE OSTI2024

Intercalative Redox Tuning for Cu/Li x Mn 2 O 4 -Catalyzed Oxidative Alkyne Coupling

Modulation of heterogeneous catalyst structure is ubiquitous within efforts to improve catalytic activity and selectivity at the molecular level. Herein, manganese oxide (MnO 2 ) is employed as a continuously tunable catalyst support through increasing extent of lithium intercalation and reduced surface potential. Oxidative grafting of an organocopper complex onto various lithium manganese oxides (Li x Mn 2 O 4 , x = 0-2.1) produced divalent and monovalent copper species on the partially reduced (0 ≤ x ≤ 1.2) and fully reduced (x = 2.1) surfaces, respectively, as determined by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis. In this study, the resultant materials are catalytically active for the oxidative coupling of terminal alkynes, with steady-state reaction rate data of oxidative propyne dimerization (200 °C, 0.6-2.4 kPa propyne, 2.4-9.9 kPa O 2 ) indicating that complete support lithiation (Li 2.1 Mn 2 O 4 ) provides increased catalytic performance and renders reoxidation steps less kinetically demanding compared to the unreduced parent material. Enacting a dual site (Cu and MnO x ) kinetic model can account for dimerization rates measured over Cu/Li 2.1 Mn 2 O 4 under various reactant concentrations, copper loadings, and surface coverages, providing supporting evidence for the synergistic role of the metal and support in facilitating the coupling reaction. Overall, results presented here provide an extension for general strategies of systematically controlling catalytic structure and function through lithium reduction of bulk oxides and subsequent electronic modulation of the metals supported thereon.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Supported Organochromium Ethylene Oligomerization Enabled by Surface Lithiation

Here, in this work, supported organochromium ethylene polymerization catalysts have been tuned to mediate ethylene oligomerization via surface lithiation, which provides a generalizable protocol to control stereoelectronics and redox states of surface organometallic active sites. The homoleptic chromium(IV) alkyl complex Cr(CH 2 SiMe 3 ) 4 was grafted on high-surface-area anatase titania (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles as well as on silica to produce Cr/TiO 2 and Cr/SiO 2 , respectively. Treatment of these materials with excess n-butyllithium led to the reduced chromium complexes Cr/Li x TiO 2 and Cr/Li/SiO 2 , each of which still retains one hydrocarbyl ligand on chromium. A set of heterogeneous complexes were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, which indicate a reduction in the oxidation state of the major chromium species to Cr II upon lithiation. Cr/Li x TiO 2 converts ethylene to hexenes with a high selectivity (>80%), which was persistent over 10 days at 80 °C, achieving >950 turnovers. The exclusive formation of C 4 and C 6 olefins, preferring the trimerization product, without a statistical (Flory–Schulz) distribution is characteristic of the oxidative cyclization oligomerization mechanism rather than the traditional Cossee–Arlman mechanism, whereas Cr/Li/SiO 2 produced a mixture of trimerization and polymerization products, suggesting site heterogeneity in the silica-based material. On the other hand, the unreduced chromium(IV) materials as well as low lithium-containing Cr/Li x TiO 2 (x < 0.16) exclusively produced ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, determined by differential scanning calorimetry and gel permeation chromatography analysis, likely formed via a linear-insertion mechanism, with a crossover from the polymerization to oligomerization regime observed at ~16% Li intercalation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Silicon Nitride Surface Enabled Propane Dehydrogenation Catalyzed by Supported Organozirconium

Mesoporous silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) is a nontraditional support for the chemisorption of organometallic complexes with the potential for enhancing catalytic activity through features such as the increased Lewis basicity of nitrogen for heterolytic bond activation, increased ligand donor strength, and metal–ligand orbital overlap. In this report tetrabenzyl zirconium (ZrBn 4 ) was chemisorbed on Si 3 N 4 , and the resulting supported organometallic species was characterized by Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS), Dynamic Nuclear Polarization-enhanced Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (DNP-SSNMR), and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). Based on the hypothesis that the nitride might enable facile heterolytic C–H bond activation along the Zr–N bond, this material was found to be a highly active (1.53 mol propene mol Zr –1 h –1 at 450 °C) and selective (99% to propylene) catalyst for propane dehydrogenation. In contrast, the homologous silica supported complex exhibited negligible activity under these conditions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Can the Rate of a Catalytic Turnover Be Altered by Ligands in the Absence of Direct Binding Interactions?

Second sphere coordination effects ubiquitous in enzymatic catalysis occur through direct interactions, either covalent or non-covalent, with reaction intermediates and transition states. Here, we present herein evidence of indirect second sphere coordination effects in which ligation of water/alkanols far removed from the primary coordination sphere of the active site nevertheless alter energetic landscapes within catalytic redox cycles in the absence of direct physicochemical interactions with surface species mediating catalytic turnovers. Density functional theory, in situ X-ray absorption and infrared spectroscopy, and a wide array of steady-state and transient CO oxidation rate data suggest that the presence of peripheral water renders oxidation half-cycles within two-electron redox cycles over μ m -oxo-bridged trimers in MIL-100(M) more kinetically demanding. Communication between ligated water and the active site appears to occur through the Fe-O-Fe backbone, as inferred from spin density variations on the central μ m -oxygen 'junction'. Evidence is provided for the generality of these second sphere effects in that they influence different types of redox half-cycles or metals, and can be amplified or attenuated through choice of coordinating ligand. Specifically in the case of MIL-100(M) materials, the Cr isostructure can be made to kinetically mimic the Fe variant by disproportionately hindering oxidation half-cycles relative to the reduction half-cycles. Kinetic and spectroscopic inferences presented here significantly expand both the conceptual definition of second sphere effects as well as the palette of synthetic levers available for tuning catalytic redox performance through chemical ligation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2024

Recommendations for improving rigor and reproducibility in site specific characterization

Heterogeneous catalysis is driven by the interaction of reactant molecules and the catalyst surface. The locus of this interaction as well as the surrounding ensemble of atoms is referred to as the catalyst active site. Active site characterization attempts to distinguish active catalytic sites from inactive surface sites, to elucidate the structural and chemical nature of active sites, and to quantify active site concentration. Numerous techniques have been demonstrated to provide compositional and structural information about the active sites within a catalyst. However, each technique has its own limitations and experimental pitfalls that can lead to data misinterpretation or irreproducible results. Further, this work aims to provide an overview of the types of data that can be collected, to outline common experimental challenges and how to avoid them, and to assemble relevant references for the most used active site characterization techniques. More broadly, we aim to outline best practices for researchers to collect, interpret, and report active site characterization data in a way that provides the most benefit to the broader catalysis community. Increasing the rigor and reproducibility of active site characterization offers a strategy to better link properties with catalytic performance and to enable the community to develop consensus concerning these relationships.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

Tailoring olefin distribution via tuning rare earth metals in bifunctional Cu-RE/beta-zeolite catalysts for ethanol upgrading

Bioethanol to middle distillate technologies have offered a unique solution to produce renewable aviation fuel for decarbonizing the hard-to-electrify sectors. Here, we have developed the series of bimetallic Cu- and rare earth-containing (RE) Beta zeolite catalysts that yield high C 3+ alkene selectivity from ethanol upgrading (>80% selectivity at ~100% conversion, 623 K). The formation rates of butene isomers to C 5+ alkenes are linearly correlated with the strength of Lewis acidic RE identity, which follows the sequence of Yb 12 /Beta >Y 7 /Beta > Gd 12 /Beta > Ce 10 /Beta > La 12 /Beta. Rate measurements indicate that the RE selection plays the vital role in altering the rate of the key competitive reactions within the ethanol-to-alkenes reaction network, namely C 4 alcohol dehydration and C-C chain growth, which dictate alkene product distributions. Finally, these findings indicate a feasible and promising method for tailoring alkene product distributions from ethanol upgrading, which is of notable significance to the generation of renewable middle distillates.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

Oxidative Grafting for Catalyst Synthesis in Surface Organometallic Chemistry

The development of new methods of catalyst synthesis with the potential to generate active site structures orthogonal to those accessible by traditional protocols is of great importance for discovering new materials for addressing challenges in the evolving energy and chemical economy. Here, in this work, the generality of oxidative grafting of organometallic and well-defined molecular metal precursors onto redox-active surfaces such as manganese dioxide (MnO 2 ) and lithium manganese oxide (LiMn 2 O 4 ) is investigated. Nine molecular metal precursors are explored, spanning groups 4–11 and each of the three periods of the transition metal series. The byproducts of the oxidative grafting reaction, a mixture of protodemetalation and ligand homocoupling for several organometallic precursors, was found to provide insights into the mechanism of the grafting reaction, suggesting oxidation of both the metal d-orbitals, as well as the metal–carbon σ-bonds, resulting in ejection of the ligand radical fragment. Analysis of the supported structures and oxidation state by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) suggests that several of the chemisorbed metal ions are intercalated into interstitial vacancies of the surface structure while other complexes form intact molecular fragments on the surface. Proof of concept for the use of this metalation protocol to generate diverse, metal-dependent catalytic performance is demonstrated by the application of these materials in the conversion of cyclohexane to K/A oil (cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone) with tert-butyl hydroperoxide, as well as in the low-temperature (T ≤ 50 °C) oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

Structural and reactive evolution of oxidatively grafted Pd catalysts on MnO 2 for the low-temperature oxidation of CO

We report Isolated Pd atoms supported on high surface area MnO 2 , prepared by the oxidative grafting of (bis(tricyclohexylphosphine-palladium(0)), catalyze (>50 turnovers, 17 h) the low temperature (≤325 K) oxidation of CO (7.7 kPa O 2 , 2.6 kPa CO) with results of in situ/operando and ex situ spectroscopic characterization signifying a synergistic role of Pd and MnO 2 in facilitating redox turnovers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2023

Kinetic and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopic Analysis of Catalytic Redox Cycles over Highly Uniform Polymetal Oxo Clusters

Metal–organic framework materials (MOFs) offer an opportunity for investigating catalytic properties of polymetal oxo clusters that are highly well defined and uniform in nature, in contrast to other classes of catalysts that may exhibit a propensity toward active site heterogeneity. We report herein a kinetic and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis of the two-electron oxidation of CO over divalent metal sites in MIL-100(M = Fe, Cr) (MIL = Materials of Institut Lavoisier) materials carrying μ 3 -oxo bridged trimers, and connect observations about the kinetic relevance of redox steps to density functional theory (DFT) predictions published previously. The high degree of uniformity evident from in situ titration measurements leads to a congruence in mechanistic inferences made from steady-state catalytic, transient stoichiometric, isotopic exchange, and isotopic tracer data that all point to a sequential mechanism comprised of separate oxidation and reduction half-cycle steps conjoined by an active oxygen intermediate. In situ XAS data reinforce mechanistic conclusions derived from kinetic analysis, and suggest that the active oxygen intermediate may be more appropriately characterized as an iron-oxyl (Fe 3+ –O – ) rather than an iron-oxo (Fe 4+ =O 2– ) species. The Cr analogue of MIL-100 exhibits contrasting rate features that can be rationalized using an identical sequence of steps as MIL-100(Fe), but with a highly dissimilar set of kinetic parameters that can also be validated using transient stoichiometric experiments. The larger coverages of active oxygen intermediates on MIL-100(Cr) are consistent with predictions from prior DFT studies that suggest more stable and less reactive active oxygen species for metals with lower d-electron counts, and point to metal identity as a lever for precisely controlling the kinetic relevance of oxidation and reduction half-cycles in catalytic redox sequences over polymetal oxo clusters. Importantly, the results presented point to the utility of developing broadly applicable structure–catalytic property relationships over MOF nodes specifically, and highly uniform catalysts more generally.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2022

Plastic Waste Product Captures Carbon Dioxide in Nanometer Pores

We discuss, plastic waste (PW) and increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) levels are among the top environmental concerns presently facing humankind. With an ambitious 2050 zero-CO 2 emissions goal, there is a demand for economical CO 2 capture routes. Here we show that the thermal treatment of PW in the presence of potassium acetate yields an effective carbon sorbent with pores width of 0.7–1.4 nm for CO 2 capture. The PW to carbon sorbent process works with single or mixed streams of polyolefin plastics. The CO 2 capacity of the sorbent at 25 °C is 17.0 ± 1.1 wt % (3.80 ± 0.25 mmol g –1 ) at 1 bar and 5.0 ± 0.6 wt % (1.13 ± 0.13 mmol g –1 ) at 0.15 bar, and it regenerates upon reaching 75 ± 5 °C. The CO 2 capture cost from flue gas via this technology is estimated to be <$21 ton –1 CO 2 , much lower than competing CO 2 capture technologies. Hence, this PW-derived carbon material should find utility in the capture of CO 2 from point sources of high CO 2 emissions while providing a use for otherwise deleterious PW.

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