Upcoming Events

Lecture: Synthesis of Hierarchical ZSM-5 Zeolites by Solid Crystallization of Nanogels and Their Catalytic Properties

Posted: 2018-06-22

Time: 22th June, 2018, 9:00 am
Venue: Conference room on first floor, No.1 Energy Building
Lecturer: Prof. WANG Shengnian, Louisiana Tech University

Abstract:

Hierarchically porous structure is important to promote mass transport and active site utilization of zeolites for many petrochemical reactions involving bulky molecules. Their conventional hydrothermal synthesis with meso-template materials is often complicated and expensive, and produces a large amount of aqueous pollute. We report here successful synthesis of mesoporous zeolites of MFI structure by solid-state crystallization without meso-template. Aluminosilicate nanogels are produced with only precursors and the dried nanoparticles are then transformed into nanocrystals in solid state using only their intrinsic water storage. After orientating with each other at edges, these nanocrystals join into monolithic zeolites with connecting inter-lattice mesopores. The produced hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites exhibit superior stability and excellent catalytic performance in reactions such as Friedel-Crafts benzylation, lignin ethanolysis, and naphthalene hydrogenation. Compared with conventional synthesis routes, this new solid crystallization approach simplifies zeolite production, lowers the cost, and avoids toxic liquid waste, which may greatly benefit many energy applications.

Introduction:

Dr. Shengnian Wang, is the Harrelson Family Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering of Louisiana Tech University. He got his BS, MS, and PhD from Zhejiang University, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Ohio State University, respectively, all in Chemical Engineering. He had his post-doctoral training at the National Science Foundation Center for Affordable Nanostructures of Polymeric Biomedical Nanodevices (CANPBND). Dr. Wang is the program chair for PhD of Engineering for the College of Engineering and Science at Louisiana Tech University. He is also the programming chair of the Transport and Energy Process (TEP) Division of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE). His current research interests focus on designing and manufacturing nanomaterials for energy and biomedical applications, with research projects supported by NIH, NSF, and State of Louisiana. He has published 30+ papers in peer-reviewed journals including Advanced Materials, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal of Catalysis, Physical Review Letters, Analytical Chemistry, Lab Chip, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Nanoscale, Scientific Reports, Journal of Biomedical Nanotechnology, Biomicrofluidic, Journal of Power Sources, and others.

Contact: ZHANG Chunxi, Group DNL0901
Phone: 13998478473