03/21/2022
By Kwok Fan Chow

The Kennedy College of Science, Department of Chemistry, invites you to attend a doctoral dissertation defense by Elizabeth Farrell entitled “Catalytic Production of Formic Acid and Hydrogen.” The defense will be held in Olney 518 (North Campus) on Friday, April 8 at 8 a.m.

Committee Chair: Prof. David Ryan, Chemistry Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Committee Members:

  • Prof. James Whitten, Chemistry Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Michael Ross, Chemistry Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Marina Ruths, Chemistry Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • Prof. Lawrence Wolf, Chemistry Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Abstract:

This research examines a novel heterogeneous catalytic process to convert H2O to H2 under mild conditions with the assistance of visible light, CO2, and nanostructured transition metal catalysts. Nanostructured cobalt and nickel were found to produce formic acid, from CO2 and water with visible light. The nanostructured surface is thought to provide abundant vacancy defect sites that are active for dissociative adsorption of water and hydrogenation of CO2, allowing the facile formation of a formate intermediate. While this process is enhanced by light, it has been demonstrated to be a thermal catalytic process likely kinetically limited at higher temperatures. Additionally, the same nanostructured catalysts were found to be extremely active for selective formic acid dehydrogenation to H2 and CO2. Optimization experiments were performed for both the production and degradation of formic acid, and a successful flow-through process was demonstrated.


All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend.