Award Abstract #0103135
NIRT: Dendrimer-Stabilized Nanoparticles for Next-Generation Catalysts

NSF Org:	CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
Initial Amendment Date:	June 21, 2001
Latest Amendment Date:	August 31, 2004
Award Number:	0103135
Award Instrument:	Continuing grant
Program Manager:	John R. Regalbuto CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems ENG Directorate for Engineering
Start Date:	June 15, 2001
Expires:	May 31, 2006 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$2000000
Investigator(s):	Harry Ploehn ploehn@engr.sc.edu (Principal Investigator) Catherine Murphy (Co-Principal Investigator) Michael Amiridis (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University South Carolina Research Foundation 901 Sumter Street Columbia, SC 29208 803/777-7093
NSF Program(s):	EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES, ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTERS, PARTICULATE &MULTIPHASE PROCES, CATALYSIS AND BIOCATALYSIS
Field Application(s):	0308000 Industrial Technology
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 9150, 1674, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	9150, 1480, 1415, 1401

ABSTRACT

Abstract

Proposal Title: NIRT: Dendrimer-stabilized Nanoparticles for Next-generation Catalysts

Proposal Number: CTS-0103135

Principal Investigator:Harry Ploehn

Institution: University of South Carolina

This proposal was submitted in response to the solicitation "Nanoscale Science and Engineering" (NSF 00-119). The objective of this proposal is to design dendrimer-stabilized nanoparticles of transition metals, bimetallic alloys, and transition metal oxides for use in heterogeneous catalysis. Dendrimers, used as chemical templates and nanoparticle stabilizers, provide an opportunity for precise control of the size, composition, and arrangement of atoms in catalytic nanoparticles, as well as a means for self-assembly and immobilization of nanoparticles in ordered two-dimensional and three-dimensional arrays on surfaces. Catalyst activity, selectivity, and lifetime will be improved by exploiting phenomena unique to catalytic structures designed and fabricated on the nanoscale. Research and educational activities include theoretical design, molecular modeling, nanoparticle synthesis, catalyst preparation and evaluation. Through this multidisciplinary activity, an overall goal is to design the next generation of catalysts based on a rational atom-up approach. Additional support will be provided to students through the three NSF-REU sites and through Sloan Foundation Fellowships, aimed at increasing minority participation. This work has the potential to improve the rational design of catalysts through molecular modeling and synthesis of nanoparticles.

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