Carbonized Cellulose Fiber Catalyst Support for High Nanoparticle Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing catalyst supports from natural cellulose fibers face challenges in achieving a large surface area and uniform pore distribution while ensuring physical and chemical stability, and in supporting metal catalyst nanoparticles in a highly dispersed state at a low cost.

Innovation Solution

The method involves treating natural cellulose fibers with an electron beam, followed by heat treatment in a hydrogen and nitrogen atmosphere, and chemical treatment with acidic solutions to introduce oxidizing groups, allowing for the support of metal catalyst nanoparticles via chemical vapor deposition or impregnation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If natural cellulose fibers are used as catalyst support, then cost is reduced, but surface area and pore distribution are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface areaVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies electron beam irradiation to change the physical and chemical parameters of natural cellulose fibers, transforming them into activated carbon with enhanced surface area and improved pore distribution. This parameter change allows the use of low-cost natural materials while achieving high-performance catalyst support properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical activation methods with electron beam irradiation, a form of energy-based treatment. This substitution enables more effective surface area development and pore structure formation in the carbonized cellulose fibers, resolving the contradiction between cost and performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If natural cellulose fibers are used as catalyst support, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but metal catalyst nanoparticle dispersion is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenanoparticle dispersionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Electron beam irradiation fundamentally changes the surface parameters of cellulose fibers, creating activated carbon with enhanced surface area and pore structure. These parameter changes provide better anchoring sites for metal catalyst nanoparticles, achieving high dispersion without increasing manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms natural cellulose fibers into porous activated carbon through electron beam irradiation and carbonization. The resulting porous structure with improved pore distribution provides extensive surface area and numerous anchoring sites, enabling excellent nanoparticle dispersion while maintaining low manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If henequen fibers are carbonized, then physical and chemical durability is improved, but micropore formation increases which is unsuitable for catalytic reactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical and chemical durabilityVSAvoidpore distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies electron beam irradiation to change the carbonization parameters of henequen fibers, controlling the pore formation process to create a more favorable pore distribution for catalytic reactions while maintaining the physical and chemical durability provided by carbonization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs electron beam irradiation as a preliminary action before carbonization. This pre-treatment modifies the fiber structure in advance, preventing excessive micropore formation during subsequent carbonization while preserving the durability benefits, thus resolving the pore distribution issue before it becomes problematic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach results in a catalyst support with a large surface area and uniform pore distribution, enabling the easy and efficient support of metal catalyst nanoparticles in a highly dispersed state, suitable for various catalytic reactions.

Implementation Method 1

treating natural cellulose fibers with an electron beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron beam: Electron Beam

Implementation Method 2

carbonization of the natural cellulose fibers by heat-treating of the electron beam-treated natural cellulose fibers in an atmosphere of hydrogen and nitrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbonization: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 3

chemically treating the carbonized natural cellulose fibers with an acidic solution to introduce an oxidizing group to a surface of the carbonized natural cellulose fibers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical treatment with oxidizing groups: Oxidation

Implementation Method 4

supporting metal catalyst nanoparticles on the carbonized cellulose catalyst support by chemical vapor deposition or impregnation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical vapor deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP2327476B1Catalysts having metal nano-particle catalyst supported on surface-treated carbonized natural cellulose fibers and preparation method thereof
Publication Date: 2015.01.07 KOREA INST OF ENERGY RES
  • EP2327476B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2327476B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2327476B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a catalyst having metal catalyst nanoparticles supported on carbonized natural cellulose fibers and a method of preparing the same, whereby natural cellulose fibers are subjected to specific pretreatment to increase a surface area and form defects on the surface thereof and metal catalyst nanoparticles are then supported on the carbonized cellulose catalyst support in a highly dispersed state, thereby providing improved catalysis while allowing production of the catalyst at low cost. The catalyst may be utilized for various catalytic reactions.