Catalytically active low density porous copper (II) monoliths

1. Catalytically active low density porous copper (II) monoliths Louisa J. Hope-Weeks, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Noble metals catalysts are often expensive; therefore finding a highly active, cost effective alternative would have significant industrial impact. To this end copper oxide based systems have been widely investigated and have shown high selectivity and activity in oxidation/reduction reactions at temperatures above 200oC. Highly porous copper (II) oxide and copper (II) oxide composite aerogel monoliths have the potential to be used as the next generation heterogeneous catalysts and exhibit enhanced activity and selectivity for a variety of oxidation/reduction reactions. To this end we have synthesized structurally diverse range of self supporting copper oxide and composites containing Aluminum oxide, Nickel oxide, and single wall carbon nanotubes. Recent work has focused on understanding factors which control the morphology and stability of the copper (II) aerogels. Experiments are currently ongoing to determine structure property relationships by studying the oxidation of carbon monoxide with the goal of enhancing the materials catalytic activity. Cu-Ni Composite aerogels A) High epoxide concentration B) Low epoxide concentration