Synthesis of supported ruthenium nanoparticles using different precursors

• Grant number: 11/14161-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2011
• End date: August 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Liane Marcia Rossi
• Grantee: Thalita Suzuki Nogueira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project aims to investigate catalytic systems based on the stabilization of ruthenium metal nanoclusters on solid supports, seeking to optimize the stabilization against agglomeration, to facilitate separation of the product and increase the lifetime of the catalyst through successive reuses. Different precursors will be studied to select the most suitable for the preparation of catalytically active ruthenium nanoparticles. As a strategy to increase the dispersion of the metal, solid supports functionalized with amine or imidazolium groups will be used, and for the most successful systems, supports with magnetic properties will facilitate the separation of catalysts from the reaction medium. Magnetic nanomaterials in the superparamagnetic regime can be easily isolated from complex multiphase media by simply using a permanent magnet, and are also easy to re-disperse after removing the magnetic field. Thus, nanomaterials with such characteristics are excellent supports for the immobilization of catalysts to be easily separated from the reaction medium and reused. Results obtained in our research group showed the formation of nanoparticles of Pd, Rh, Pt, Au, etc.. on the surface of magnetic supports with excellent performances as recoverable and reusable catalysts. Preliminary results of Ru nanoparticles prepared from RuCl3 inspired this project.