Solution combustion synthesis for catalytic and power generation applications

Peter Riising Erri, Purdue University

Abstract

The solution combustion technique is a novel synthesis method which enables rapid synthesis of highly substituted oxides. In the procedure, the metal precursors (typically in the form of nitrates serving as oxidizers), mixed in water with fuel (e.g. hydrazine or glycine), are heated, resulting in self-ignition to yield complex oxides in a one-step process. The advantages of this technique include reactant mixing at the molecular level, and the unique ability to tailor product structural characteristics by varying parameters such as fuel and oxidizer ratio and composition. In this work, the application of this synthesis method in the following research directions will be discussed: (1) One-step synthesis of transition metal foams. Solution combustion synthesis was, for the first time, applied to metal foam formation. The reaction parameters were optimized to produce metal structures with no need for further reduction. (2) Development of coking resistant catalysts for autothermal reforming of JP-8 fuel. In this project, a novel complex oxide catalyst was developed with excellent reactivity (equilibrium conditions attained in 30 ms) and strong coking resistance. (3) Study of oxygen carriers for chemical looping combustion. A novel approach to combustion for power generation, this concept enables inherent separation of CO2, while using air as an oxidant, but is limited by the lack of suitable oxygen carriers. In this context, NiO, supported with a doped spinel phase, was evaluated and found to possess excellent redox and mechanical characteristics suitable for chemical looping combustion. The findings from the three research projects illustrate the versatility of the solution combustion technique and its value as a synthesis method in catalysis and materials research.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Varma, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Chemical engineering

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