Publication Date

Summer 2021

Advisor(s) - Committee Chair

Dr. Lawrence Hill (Director), Dr. Kevin Williams, and Dr. Bangbo Yan

Degree Program

Department of Chemistry

Degree Type

Master of Science

Abstract

Climate change is one of the biggest problems we are facing today, and anthropogenic greenhouse gases contribute significantly to it. Among greenhouse gasses, carbon dioxide emission is increased drastically and affecting majorly for increasing global temperature, and anything we can do to mitigate carbon dioxide emission will be helpful. A carbon dioxide hydrogenation reaction is a promising technique that can convert carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals, but the reaction rate is slow, and for that, we can use catalysts that will accelerate the reaction rate. Platinum-based nanoparticles have sparked research related to energy and environmental catalysts. Catalytic properties are depending on physical and chemical parameters. Engineering the shape and surface structure of platinum nanocrystals effectively optimizes their catalytic activities toward various reactions. These complex shapes are generally achieved using traditional ligands, which cause crystals to grow preferentially in certain directions by binding to other facets and limiting their growth. We can use the mixtures of functionalized ionic liquids to replicate traditional solvents and ligands' nucleation and growth environments. In this way, platinum nanoparticles can be synthesized using ionic liquids to facilitate the carbon dioxide hydrogenation reaction.

Disciplines

Analytical Chemistry | Chemistry | Environmental Chemistry | Organic Chemistry

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