Chan Research Group

Investigate reduced nano-oxides’ abilities to convert carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide and to convert water vapor into hydrogen by being thermodynamically hungry for oxygen. The different mixtures of H2 and CO (syn-gas) are routinely used in the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis to make gasoline and diesel as the syn-gas (h2 and CO) generation has been successfully demonstrated by micro-size oxides at an elevated temperature of 1600oC which is too high for practical application.

Our objective is to find a binary nano-oxide with noble metal modified surface to lower the conversion temperature catalytically below 400oC and lower where the nano-oxide is stable against coarsening. Nano-oxides provide shorter diffusion paths and hence faster kinetic for the necessary low temperature syn-gas generation.

The student will be doing literature search of a number of oxides redox behaviors and the redox behavior of a number of nano-oxides as start aided by 2 other summer interns (already hired).

When the lab is opened, the heating cycle apparatus and measurement of gas products hydrogen and carbon monoxide (in a small amount) can be reinstalled. The equipment (a furnace with TC and GC gas detectors) was working before the doctoral student graduated. Because of subsequent lab moved, the equipment was dismantled and needs to reinstalled. The two graduated graduate students who installed the equipment are willing to help.