The design of heterogeneous catalysts with high selectivity and activity is a challenging goal. To tackle this challenge, we developed a new concept of heterogeneous catalyst design that involves integrating well-defined colloidal nanoparticles and crystalline nanoporous materials. In this strategy, we coated the well-defined metal nanoparticles with crystalline metal-organic-framework (MOF) shells to create catalytically active nano-cavities on the interfaces of metal surface and nanopores. These nano-cavities allow a direct control of the catalyst selectivity and activity. We have developed several different methods for different metal nanoparticle cores and MOF shells. The core-shell nanostructures were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen adsorption. To study the catalytic behavior, carbon monoxide oxidation and hydrogenations of alkenes as model reactions were carried out over the catalysts. The MOF shell provides excellent molecular-size selectivity. Different activation energies for reactions were obtained for nanostructures with different MOF shells.

Nanopore-governed heterogeneous catalysis: Designing selective reaction cavities on metal surfaces

246th National Meeting (2013)

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