Metal Nanoparticle - MOF Templates; Tailored Routes to Controlled Nanocomposites for Catalysis

The drive towards more sustainable technologies relies on developing improved catalytic materials; greater activity and selectivity to desired products with ever decreasing amounts of expensive catalyst metals. Supported metal nanoparticles are a cornerstone within the field of heterogeneous catalysis; the metal support interaction aids the stability of the catalyst and promotes chemical reactions. Controlling the interface of composite structures is a key part of this synergy between metal nanoparticle and metal oxide support. Supported metal nanoparticles are most commonly prepared by the impregnation of metal oxide hosts, followed by a thermal activation. The concept of the project is to use metal nanoparticles supported on MOFs as templates. The intention is to remove the organic linkers through chemical means, i.e. by introducing strong reductants such as NaBH4, producing tailored nanocomposites. Indeed, we have recently performed a proof-of-concept study where we were able to prepare PdCu/Cu2O nanocomposites from Pd/Cu-BTC templates. The programme of work will: (i) Show how systematic variations to preparation conditions influences the composite structure. (ii) Demonstrate their importance for emerging catalytic applications in sustainable energy generation (i.e formic acid decomposition). (iii) Use advanced characterisation under process conditions to understand the formation of the composite structure and how the structures evolve during catalysis.