This Project Grant from the National Science Foundation Division of Chemistry, under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences program (CFDA 47.049), provides $353,295 to the University of Tennessee from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2025. The funding supports research by Dr. Sirius Laursen and students to develop inexpensive, earth-abundant catalysts from non-noble metal intermetallic compounds for the conversion of waste from biomass processing into valuable diols and olefins. Through quantum chemical modeling and experimental investigation, the researchers aim to determine composition-activity relationships and accelerate discovery of catalyst materials that can selectively remove oxygen from polyols like glycerol to produce 1,2-propanediol, propylene, and other high-value chemicals. The work also seeks to define surface chemistries that completely break down polyols into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. By elucidating structure-activity principles, the group works to establish simple design rules for non-noble metal catalysts applicable to various chemical transformations still lacking efficient materials. The project additionally integrates students into research to support workforce development in new renewable chemicals industries.
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