Advanced Structural Carbon-Supported Catalysts for Industrial Polymer Synthesis

70498 Activated carbon-supported metal catalysts offer the most energy-efficient, active, and selective performance available for a large number of industrial oxidation and hydrogenation processes. Unfortunately, the carbon supports suffer degradation during operation that drastically limits operational life and operational temperature, and adversely affects catalyst performance. This project will develop advanced heterogeneous catalysts for industrial hydrogenation and oxidation reactions. The catalyst technology is based on noble and semi-precious metals supported on novel surface-modified activated carbons. The carbon bulk properties will also be modified, dramatically extending the temperature range and physical stability of the metal catalysts for a wide range of industrial processes. Phase I will develop and integrate two new catalyst preparation techniques, resulting in physically stable activated carbon-supported metal catalysts. These materials will then be tested at bench scale for application to terephthalic acid production from p-xylene. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Global catalyst sales in 1999 were $7.85 billion. This catalyst technology should impact three of the four major catalyst market segments, potentially influencing roughly 75% of the overall global catalyst market.