Synthesis of controlled hybrid materials based on Fe3O4 for catalytic applications

• Grant number: 18/02435-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Heloise Ribeiro de Barros
• Grantee: Livia Yukari Tanaka
• Home Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/26308-7 - Optimization of the physicochemical properties of nano -structured materials for applications in molecular recognition, catalysis and energy conversion/storage, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/19551-3 - Synthesis of controlled hybrid materials: development of a bionanoplasmonic catalyst in light-driven one-pot cascade reactions, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to synthesize nanostructured Fe3O4, and control its morphology, followed by the deposition of metallic nanoparticles on its surface. Aside from being a great support for metallic catalysts, magnetite offers magnetic properties, thus, it can be easily removed from the reaction mixture, being a material with great sustainable interest. The first stage of this project will consist in the synthesis of the magnetic support, aiming at optimizing the process. Subsequently, the deposition of metallic nanoparticles on the support will be carried out to enhance its catalytic properties. As a promising alternative, the galvanic replacement offers a simple and sustainable method to deposit these nanoparticles, since it can be done under mild conditions. To investigate the catalytic ability of the synthesized material, the catalysts will be submitted to model tests and catalysis in further reactions, using hematite (Fe2O3) as a comparative base, with the intention to comprehend how magnetite's physicochemical properties contribute to its application in catalysis. (AU)