Catalytically active low density porous copper II monoliths

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Catalytically active low density porous copper
(II) monoliths Louisa J. Hope-Weeks, Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech
University
Noble metals catalysts are often expensive
therefore finding a highly active, cost effective
alternative would have significant industrial
impact. To this end copper oxide based systems
have been widely investigated and have shown high
selectivity and activity in oxidation/reduction
reactions at temperatures above 200oC. The
copper oxide is most commonly impregnated on a
support material, which often results in
diminished catalytic activity due to adverse
reactions of the copper with the support
material. Highly porous copper (II) aerogel
monoliths have the potential to be used as the
next generation heterogeneous catalysts and
exhibit enhanced activity and selectivity for a
variety of oxidation/reduction reactions. The
nature of a self-supported copper (II) aerogel is
such that it will improve the catalytic activity
and overcome the problems currently encountered
with the supported copper oxides. Initial work
is focused on understanding factors which
control the morphology and stability of the
copper (II) aerogels. Experiments are currently
ongoing to control and understand the phase
changes observed in the materials at elevated
temperatures since this will ultimately influence
the catalytic activity of the materials.
Cu-Ni Composite aerogels