Carbon Nanotubes as Catalyst Supports in Biphasic Systems
Abstract
Carbon nanotubes are studied as catalyst supports in biphasic (oil and water)
systems. In the first part the relationships between a carbon nanotubes properties before
and after functionalization and the influence those properties have on emulsions
characteristics is studied. Emulsion characteristics studied were emulsion type, droplet
size, interfacial area, and quantity of carbon nanotubes at the oil-water interface.
Emulsions stabilized with carbon nanotubes are compared with emulsions stabilized
with silica nanoparticles to further understand how material properties influence
emulsion characteristics. The relationship between carbon nanotubes and silica
nanoparticles properties and emulsion characteristics is utilized to control reaction
selectivity, further understand the particles environment at the oil-water interface, and
create a responsive system where reaction selectivity can be tuned as the reaction
proceeds. Finally, with the ability to synthesize carbon nanotubes with different
properties a novel catalyst is made which can determine the location of the active site
for bifunctional catalysts.
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