Research
Catalysts provide energetically feasible pathways for chemical reactions to occur. The Harris group works to understand these materials as they exist during reaction in order to develop processes to upgrade abundant feedstocks to desirable chemicals. We synthesize catalysts, including supported metal nanoparticles and crystalline microporous solids, and characterize their physical and chemical characteristics at the molecular level. These materials are used for studies of the kinetics and mechanisms of chemical reactions, with aid from in situ spectroscopic tools, to develop improved processes that reduce the environmental impacts of the production of fuels and chemicals.
Synthesis and Characterization
Our group has expertise in zeolite synthesis, and is currently focused on leveraging existing routes to encapsulate transition metal nanoparticles (e.g., Pt, Pd, etc.) and metal complexes within the pores of zeolites and zeotypes for subsequent spectroscopic and kinetic studies. In particular, we aim to use transmission infrared spectroscopy to quantify adsorption sites and adsorbates on these catalysts under both in situ and operando conditions. This research has recently been supported by the UA Office of Research and Economic Development, the Alabama Water Institute, and by the National Science Foundation.
Alkane Activation
Research in our group includes efforts to transform light olefins in shale gas and other flared gases to useful chemicals. Abundant reserves of shale gas in the United States have provided a surplus of light alkanes and provided an opportunity to develop new catalytic processes to transform these feedstocks into useful chemicals and fuels instead of flaring these gases at geographically isolated shale gas wells. Emerging classes of catalysts have demonstrated exciting prospects for the selective transformation of these light alkanes into liquid chemicals that are more easily transported. This research has recently been supported by the National Science Foundation and the ACS Petroleum Research Fund.
Production of Renewable Chemicals and Fuels
A second area of research involves upgrading of oxygenates derived from biomass. Highly-functionalized molecules abundant in pyrolysis vapors can act as platform molecules for production of fuels, polymer precursors, solvents, flavorings and perfumes, and pharmaceutical precursors. Production of these high-value chemicals currently generates toxic by-products, leading to opportunities to explore selective catalytic transformations that alleviate existing environmental impacts while producing renewable specialty chemicals. Ethanol produced through fermentation of agricultural residues and other cellulosic biomass is a renewable feedstock that faces a growing surplus due to reduced demand for blending in gasoline for increasingly electric passenger vehicles. As a result, we aim to convert ethanol to useful chemicals and hydrocarbon fuels for applications which cannot be readily electrified, including aviation and marine transportation. This research has recently been supported by the UA Office of Research and Economic Development, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Oak Ridge Affiliated Universities.
Our Research Has Been Generously Supported By:
