Nitride and Carbide Catalysts. Since the discovery by Boudart and coworkers that early transition metal carbides and nitrides can be produced with surface areas in excess of 100 m²/g (domains <10 nm), there has been substantial interest in their use as catalysts. These nanocrystalline materials possess catalytic properties that resemble those of the Pt-group metals, and are among the most active hydrotreating catalysts known. In addition, some early transition metal carbide and nitride catalysts are resistant to poisoning by sulfur. Sulfur is a ubiquitous contaminant in many petroleum and chemical process streams, and most catalysts deactivate quickly and irreversibly in the presence of sulfur. The goals of our projects in this area are to: (1) identify new catalyst-reaction combinations using combinatorial and high through-put screening methods, and (2) develop a better fundamental understanding of the surface and catalytic properties of high surface area carbides and nitrides including their acid/base properties and interactions with sulfur.

Microreactors and Fuel Processors for Fuel Cells. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells operating with H₂ from hydrocarbon liquids have emerged as leading candidates to replace batteries in portable electronic devices and power cleaner, more fuel efficient vehicles. A key challenge to their commercialization is the lack of sufficiently small and inexpensive fuel processors to convert hydrocarbons like methanol, gasoline and diesel into H₂. Improvements in the performance and cost will require the development of innovative reactor designs, better performing catalysts, and better integration. The goal of this collaborative project is to develop low-cost fuel processors based on microchannel reactors, new high activity catalysts, novel sulfur adsorbents and microcombustors. The integrated microchannel reactor system will result in significant improvements in the system efficiency and reductions in the fuel processor size. Methanol, gasoline and natural gas fuel processors will be demonstrated ranging in size from 5 W to 10 kW. (Collaborating with Profs. Gulari, Yang, Savage, Schwank, Ni, Dahm, and Powell of University of Michigan, and two companies)

Novel Water Gas Shift and Steam Reforming Catalysts. The water gas shift and steam reforming reactions are important steps in the conversion of hydrocarbons into H₂ for chemicals and petroleum processing. These reactions are also key processes in the production of H₂-rich gas for fuel cells. Presently available catalysts are not sufficiently active or durable for portable and vehicle applications. We are developing catalysts based on high surface area Mo carbides and oxide supported gold. These materials have demonstrated activities that are competitive with those of commercial Cu-Zn shift catalysts. The carbides were also stable during thermal cycling, however, activities and surface areas for the Fe-oxide supported gold catalysts decreased substantially with use. The focus of our work is to optimize activities for the carbides and stabilize the oxide supported gold catalysts. With improvements these materials could be used as intermediate and low temperature shift catalysts. (Collaborating with Dr. Aaron Wagner of Süd Chemie and Dr. Purnesh Seegopaul of Union Miniere)

Micro-Fuel Cells and Electrocatalysts. The deployment of wireless microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) will depend on the availability of micro-power supplies. Fuel cells are excellent candidates for development as micro-power supplies, combining energy densities that are higher and recharge times that are faster than batteries. Our goal is to develop highly efficient, mW-sized hydrogen PEM fuel cells and demonstrate their use in powering a MEMS device. These micro-fuel cells will be fabricated using microfabrication techniques that are similar to those used to manufacture electronic microprocessors. The micro-fuel cells will incorporate high activity electrocatalysts and will be incorporated into a system that includes a fuel storage and delivery system, and hydrogen sensing elements. (Collaborating with Prof. Najafi of the University of Michigan)

Patents and Applications (additional invention disclosures)

"Bimetallic Cluster Catalysts," U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,751, M. David Curtis, Johannes W. Schwank, L.T. Thompson, and P. Douglas Williams, 1986 (assigned to The University of Michigan).

"High Surface Area Nitride, Carbide and Boride Electrodes and Methods of Fabrication Thereof," U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,292, J. Parker, M. Wixom and L. Thompson, 1997 (assigned to T/J Technologies, Inc.).

“Chemical Sensors and Methods for Their Use,” WO Pat. No. 9849547, L. Owens, M. Wixom and L.T. Thompson, 1998 (assigned to T/J Technologies, Inc.).

“High Surface Area Mesoporous Desigel Materials and Methods for Their Fabrication,” U.S. Patent No. 5,837,630, L. Owens, L.T. Thompson, and M.R. Wixom, 1998 (assigned to T/J Technologies, Inc.).

“Transition Metal-Based Ceramic Materials and Articles Fabrication Therefrom,” U.S. Patent No. 5,888,669, L.T. Thompson and M.R. Wixom, 1999 (assigned to T/J Technologies, Inc.).

"Bimetallic Nitride, Carbide and Boride Catalysts and Methods of Fabrication Thereof," U.S. Appl. No. 08/988,663, J. Brenner, C. Colling and L. Thompson, filed 1997 (first action allowed important claims; will be assigned to The University of Michigan).

“Transition metal Based Ceramic Material and Electrodes Fabricated Therefrom,” U.S. Patent No. 6,190,802, D. Clerc, M. Fay and L. Thompson, 2001 (assigned to T/J Technologies, Inc.).

“Transition Metal Carbide-Based Water Gas Shift Catalysts,” U.S. Pat. Application, J. Patt, D-J. Moon, C. Phillips and L. Thompson, 2001.

Graduate Students (total terminal degrees granted: 7 M.S.E, 14 Ph.D.)

• Brian T. Carvill (M.S.E., 1989), Catalytic Properties of Supported Sulfide Clusters, presently at Air Products (PA)
• Jeong-Gil Choi (Ph.D., 1992), Structure and Function of Molybdenum Nitride Catalysts, presently Professor at Han Nam University (Korea)
• Kimberly Kolbert (M.S.E., 1993), Synthesis of Novel Hydrotreatment Catalysts, presently at Searles (IL)
• James Brenner (Ph.D., 1994), Supported Bimetallic Sulfido-Cluster Derived Hydrotreatment Catalysts, presently Assistant Prof. at Florida Institute of Tech. (FL)
• Kendrick Curry (Ph.D., 1995), Structure and Function of Tungsten Carbide Catalysts, presently at Union Carbide (WV)
• Craig Colling (Ph.D., 1995), Synthesis and Characterization of Alumina Supported Molybdenum Nitride Catalysts, presently at Amoco Oil (IL)
• Hyuek-Joon Lee (Ph.D., 1995), Electrocatalytic Properties of Molybdenum Nitride Thin Films, presently at LG Chemicals (Korea)
• Mandar Mudholkar (Ph.D., 1995), Surface Chemistries of Ion Beam Assisted Deposited Molybdenum Nitride Films, presently at Rockwell (CA)
• Gregory Dolce (Ph.D., 1996), Structure and Function of Supported Molybdenum Nitride Hydrotreatment Catalysts, presently at W.R. Grace Co. (MD)
• Eric Johnson (M.S.E., 1997), Novel Chemical Sensor Transducers
• Ji Chang (M.S.E., 1997), Preparation of Noble Metal: Reducible Oxide Methane Combustion Catalysts (with E. Gulari)
• Saemin Choi (Ph.D., 1998), Structure and Function Relationships for Supported Tungsten Carbide Catalysts, presently at Visteon (MI)
• Heock-Hoi Kwon (Ph.D., 1998), Vanadium Nitride Butane Activation Catalysts, presently Assistant Professor at Soongsil University (Korea)
• Lin-Chuian Yan (Ph.D., 1998), High Temperature Combustion Catalysts Based on Cation-Substituted Barium Hexaaluminates, presently at United Fine Chemicals (Taiwan)
• Michael Neylon (Ph.D., 1999), Models of Microstructure Development During the Production of High Surface Area Catalytic Materials, presently at Argonne National Laboratories (IL)
• James Waldecker (Ph.D., 2000), Novel Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Capacitors, presently at NASA Glenn (OH)
  
• Christopher Bennett (Ph.D., 2001), Mixed Metal Nitrides and Carbides Synthesized Using Sol-Gel Methods, presently post-doc at the University of Michigan
• Tafaya Ransom (M.S.E., 2002), Ceramic Microchannel Reactors
• Kamilah Turner (M.S.E., 2003), Passivation of Transuranic Oxides
• Carly Chan (M.S.E., 2003), Novel Electrocatalysts
• Jeremy Patt (Ph.D., 2003), Carbide-Based Water Gas Shift Catalysts
• Chang Kim (Ph.D., anticipated 2004), Nanostructured Gold Water Gas Shift Catalysts
• Randolph McGee (Ph.D., anticipated 2005), Acid-Base Character of Nitrides and Carbides
• Andre Taylor (Ph.D., anticipated 2005), Integrated Micro-Fuel Cell Power Supplies
• William Johnson (Ph.D., anticipated 2005), Micro-Reactors for Hydrogen Generation
• Worajit Setthapun (Ph.D., anticipated 2006), Combinatorial Synthesis and High-Through-Put Screening of Catalysts
• Easwar Ranganathan (Ph.D., anticipated 2006), Methanol Steam Reforming Catalysts
• Timothy King (Ph.D., anticipated 2006), Fuel Processing Catalysts
• Maha Hammoud (Ph.D., anticipated 2006), Sulfur Adsorbents
  
• William Northrup (Ph.D., ME, anticipated 2006), Microchannel Fuel Processors
  

Post-Doctoral Scholars and Research Associates

• Prof. Nak-Mann Choi (Research Associate, 1991-92), presently at Seoul National Univ. (Korea)
• Dr. Dong-Soo Choi (Post-doctoral Scholar, 1997), presently at Korea Steel
• Prof. Jeong-Gil Choi (Post-doctoral scholar, 1993-94), presently at Han Nam University (Korea)
• Dr. Liya Wang (Post-doctoral scholar, 1993-94), presently at IMRA America (MI)
• Dr. Lynne Owens (Post-doctoral scholar, 1994-95), presently at Allied-Signal (IL)
• Dr. Heock-Hoi Kwon (Post-doctoral scholar, 1998), presently at Soongsil University (Korea)
• Dr. Dong Ju Moon (Research Associate, 1998-1999), presently at KRICT (Korea)
• Dr. Cory Phillips (Post-doctoral scholar, 1999-2000), presently at Redpath Energy (NM)
• Yoshinori Kato, Cosmos Oil Co. (Research Associate, 2001-2003)
• Dr. Zhong Chen (Post-doctoral scholar, 2002-2004)
  
• Dr. Hanwei Lei (Post-doctoral scholar, 2000-present)
• Dr. Shyamal Kumar Bej (Engineer in Research, 2000-present)
• Dr. Cory Phillips (Engineer in Research, 2001, 2002-present)
  

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