Project Title:

Oxidative activation of n-octane using metal-loaded carbon nanotubes

Description:

 Investigate the potential of metal-loaded carbon nanotubes for the terminal activation of linear alkanes in the gas phase

The selective conversion of low value feedstock paraffins to more valuable products has been the subject of a significant research effort.[1] Today, the olefin demand of the chemical industry is met primarily through the steam cracking of hydrocarbon feed stocks.

Oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) is a chemical process that potentially offers significant energy and cost savings over traditional stem cracking processes. However before ODH can be implemented a suitably active and selective catalyst must be developed, with high single pass process yields to the terminally activated product and minimal or no secondary combustion reactions of the primary product. Carbon nanotubes have been used in the ODH of ethylbenzene to styrene[2] and propane to propene[3].

The project involves the use of metal oxide catalysts supported on carbon nanotube walls for the gas phase oxidation of n-octane.