Investigating the Viability of a γ-Al2O3 Support on Catalytic Propane Dehydrogenation Using Transition Metal Clusters
Faculty Sponsor
Stan Zygmunt
College
Arts and Sciences
Discipline(s)
Physics
ORCID Identifier(s)
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6196-0043
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Symposium Date
Spring 5-3-2019
Abstract
Recent studies of the reactivity of single atoms and small atomic clusters has created interest in the effect of different support materials on the effectiveness of transition metals as catalysts for propane dehydrogenation. As a continuation of previous work carried out in the Summer of 2017 and Spring of 2018, I will utilize density functional theory as implemented in the VASP program to model an Alumina (Al2O3) surface. Then building on previous work, I will use the surface as a support for single transition metal (TM) atoms and small TM clusters and will use the climbing-image nudged elastic band (CI-NEB) algorithm in order to calculate the minimum energy pathway for the reaction. I will then compare the calculated activation energy with both the unsupported systems as well as the graphene-supported systems to determine the effect of the support material on their relative suitability for propane dehydrogenation.
Recommended Citation
Bean, Christopher, "Investigating the Viability of a γ-Al2O3 Support on Catalytic Propane Dehydrogenation Using Transition Metal Clusters" (2019). Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 779.
https://scholar.valpo.edu/cus/779
Biographical Information about Author(s)
Christopher Bean is a senior undergraduate physics and secondary education major who began working with the computational catalysis research group during the summer of 2017. He is planning to teach physics at a high school level and use his research experience to enrich his students' educational experience and opportunities.