Application of Carbon Nanomaterials as Supports in Heterogeneous Catalysis

The overall objective of this project is to investigate the application of carbon
nanomaterials as support in heterogeneous catalysis. In the study, carbon nanomaterials
such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes
(MWNTs), carbon replica of zeolites and activated carbon are proposed as support in
heterogeneous catalysis. The performance of carbon nanomaterials used will be studied
and the comparison with activated carbon will be made to determine the effectiveness of
the carbon nanomaterials as potential support in heterogeneous catalysis. The
heterogeneous distribution of the nanoparticles that will be use such as nickel, iron and
cobalt were evidenced by bulk and surface structural and compositional
characterizations, that is, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron
microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and thermo
gravimetric analysis (TGA). The significant of the application of carbon nanomaterials
will be observed with the improvement in the catalytic efficiency of the chemical
reaction. Various applications of carbon nanomaterials as support in heterogeneous
catalysis can be seen in pharmaceutical, electrical, optical and mechanical applications.