| Biography | |
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 Dr. Christopher M. A. Parlett University of Manchester, UK |
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| Title: Shedding light on heterogeneous catalyst systems for selective oxidation reactions. | |
| Abstract: Chemical manufacturing has relied heavily on the exploitation of crude oil feedstock, with heterogeneous catalysis playing a key role through underpinning 90% of chemical production. Growing concerns over the accessibility of fossil fuel reserves, and the impact of their utilisation on climate change, is driving research into alternative sustainable fuels and chemicals via novel catalytic routes. Identifying structure-activity correlations in conjunction with operando measurements enables a detailed interrogation of a catalytic material, which when combined offers the potential to gain a significant advancement in the understanding of a catalytic process. I will give examples of how synchrotron x-ray spectroscopic techniques have enabled this strategy to be employed for the development of catalyst systems for selective oxidation reactions. 5-hydroxymethylfurane, derivable from non-edible cellulosic biomass, represents an interesting platform molecule with multiple potential applications. Its controlled oxidation to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid, a potential bio-plastic monomer, over solid base supported Au nanoparticles has revealed an interesting correlation between NP size and basicity of the reaction media, with the degree of progress through the multistep oxidation highly dependent on the two. The selective oxidation of allylic alcohols, to either their aldehyde or carboxylic acid derivatives, reflects selective chemical transformations for fine chemical production. Operando spectroscopic measurements have shown the critical role of surface oxide on supported Pd nanoparticles for selective aldehyde production, whereas the employment of Pt as the active site yields at a catalyst capable of high selectivity towards the carboxylic acid (when starting from the aldehyde). Coupling these two active species within a single hierarchical support architecture, via active site compartmentalisation within distinct pore domains, permits the one-pot selective oxidation catalytic cascade of the alcohol to its carboxylic acid. This, therefore, reflects an alternative strategy for multistep oxidations, which has the potential to be tuned for a wide array of reactions. | |
| Biography: Chris received a first class BSc(Hons) in Chemistry from Anglia Ruskin University prior to completing an MSc in Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technology at the University of York (distinction) in 2009. Following this, he undertook his PhD research at Cardiff University, supervised by Professors Adam F. Lee, Karen Wilson and Duncan W. Bruce (University of York), developing supported palladium selective oxidation catalysts. Since completing his PhD in 2012, he held a post-doctoral research position at Cardiff University, before moving to the University of Warwick in 2013 and then onto the European Bioenergy Research Institute at Aston University in 2014. In 2018, he was appointed as an independent University Fellow at the University of Manchester, a position joint with the Diamond Light Source. His research focuses developing novel catalytic materials based on functional porous oxide materials, and hierarchical structures of these, with an aim to manipulate their physicochemical properties, and those of deposited surface functionality, including their spatial location. He looks to employ an educated design approach to catalytic materials development, which is underpinned through structure-function relationships, operando spectroscopy, and in-pore diffusion studies, with an overarching aim being the development of novel nanomaterials that can tackle issues of public concern. | |
