The inhibiting and deactivating effects of basic nitrogen species present in gas oils on catalyst active sites has been well recognized over the years; however, recent studies have shown comparable inhibiting and deactivating effects exhibited by non-basic nitrogen species. A novel pre-treatment technique employing the heterogeneously cross-linked macroporous polymer poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) as the hydrophilic support coupled with organic compound tetranitrofluorenone has shown promising results for the selective elimination of non-basic nitrogen heterocyclic species from bitumen derived heavy gas oil (HGO). Characterization techniques such as Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low temperature N2 adsorption–desorption (BET), CHNOS elemental analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), epoxy content titration, and thermo gravimetry/differential thermal analyzer (TG/DTA) were employed for determining the optimum parameters during each step of the polymer synthesis. Step 1 comprised of direct polymerization of the monomers under the determined optimum conditions, with specific surface area of 34.7 m2/g and epoxy content of 5.8 wt% for the PGMA polymer support. Step 2 comprised of substitution of the epoxy ring with the acetone oxime functionality; FT-IR results indicated characteristics peaks at 1650 cm-1 which ascertained the presence of acetone oxime on the polymer, with epoxy content titration indicating a decrease of up to 33% of the epoxy content due to the substitution. Coupling of the organic compound tetranitrofluorenone with the polymer was performed in the final step, with TGA and DTG results indicating highest weight loss of approximately 126.9 μg, which signified that sample T had the greatest amount of organic compound present in comparison to the other samples (sample N to Sample S). The optimized polymer (sample T) was capable of removing nitrogen up to 6.7%, while having little to no influence on the sulphur or aromatic species. These results were in agreement with step 4 TGA analysis that showed sample T had the highest presence of the organic compound. Reusability of the polymer multiple times with consistent removal is another known advantage of such a pre-treatment technique; hence reusability studies were performed, and showed that the polymer was indeed capable of multiple uses, with consistent removal of nitrogen compounds at approximately 6.5% from fresh heavy gas oil feedstocks. Kinetic studies were performed as the final phase in order to evaluate the performance of the treated HGO in comparison to non-treated HGO. The effect of parameters such as temperature and LHSV were determined, with higher temperatures resulting in higher conversion of HDS and HDN. Similarly, as the LHSV was decreased, the conversions were increased for both HDS and HDN due to longer contact time between the feed and the catalyst. The highest obtained conversions were at an LHSV of 0.5 hr-1 and temperature of 395°C with treated HGO having HDS of 97.5% and HDN of 90.3%; while non-treated HGO having HDS of 94.9% and HDN of 78.3%. Employing the power law model, the results indicated that for treated HGO the reaction order for both HDS and HDN was 1.50; while for non-treated HGO the reaction order for HDS was 2.25 and for HDN was 2.00. The activation energies were then calculated with 141.4 kJ/mol being obtained for HDS and 113.8 kJ/mol for HDN for treated HGO; while for non-treated HGO the activation energy for HDS was 150.4 kJ/mol and for HDN was 121.4 kJ/mol. It was observed that the conversion of both HDS and HDN were higher and the activation energies were lower for treated HGO, indicating that the removal of non-basic nitrogen species prior to hydrotreatment had a positive impact on catalyst performance and consequently the level of conversion.

Pt-based alloy surfaces are used to catalyze the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), where molecular oxygen is converted into water on fuel cell electrodes. In this work, we address challenges due to the cost of high Pt loadings in the cathode electrocatalyst, as well as those arising from catalyst durability. We aim to develop an increased understanding of the factors that determine ORR activity together with stability against surface segregation and dissolution of Pt-based alloys. We firstly focus on the problem of determining surface atomic distribution resulting from surface segregation phenomena. We use first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations on PtCo and Pt3Co overall compositions, as well as adsorption of water and atomic oxygen on PtCo(111) and Pt-skin structures. The bonding between water and surfaces of PtCo and Pt-skin monolayers are investigated in terms of orbital population. Also, on both surfaces, the surface reconstruction effect due to high oxygen coverage and water co-adsorption is investigated. Although the PtCo structures show good activity, a large dissolution of Co atoms tends to occur in acid medium. To tackle this problem, we examine core-shell structures which showed improved stability and activity compared to Pt(111), in particular, one consisting of a surface Pt-skin monolayer over an IrCo or Ir3Co core, with or without a Pd interlayer between the Pt surface and the Ir-Co core. DFT analysis of surface segregation, surface stability against dissolution, surface Pourbaix diagrams, and reaction mechanisms provide useful predictions on catalyst durability, onset potential for water oxidation, surface atomic distribution, coverage of oxygenated species, and activity. The roles of the Pd interlayer in the core-shell structures that influence higher ORR activity are clarified. Furthermore, the stability and activity enhancement of new shell-anchor-core structures of Pt/Fe-C/core, Pt/Co-C/core and Pt/Ni-C/core are demonstrated with core materials of Ir, Pd3Co, Ir3Co, IrCo and IrNi. Based on the analysis, Pt/Fe-C/Ir, Pt/Co-C/Ir, Pt/Ni-C/Ir, Pt/Co-C/Pd3Co, Pt/Fe-C/Pd3Co, Pt/Co- C/Ir3Co, Pt/Fe-C/Ir3Co, Pt/Co-C/IrCo, Pt/Co-C/IrNi, and Pt/Fe-C/IrNi structures show promise in terms of both improved durability and relatively high ORR activity.

The removal of trace amounts of acetylene in ethylene streams is a high-volume industrial process that must possess high selectivity of alkyne hydrogenation over hydrogenation of alkenes. Current technology uses metallic nanoparticles, typically palladium or platinum, for acetylene removal. However, problems arise due to the deactivation of the catalysts at high temperatures as well as low selectivities at high conversions. Pore expanded MCM-41 is synthesized via a two-step strategy in which MCM-41 was prepared via cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMABr) followed by the hydrothermal treatment with N,N-dimethyldecylamine (DMDA). This material was washed with ethanol to remove DMDA, or calcined to remove both surfactants. PE-MCM-41 based materials were impregnated with palladium, gold, and palladium-gold nanoparticles. The removal of DMDA had an effect on both the conversion and selectivity, in which they were found to drop significantly. However, by using the bimetallic PdAu catalysts, higher selectivity could be achieved due to increased electron density.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemical Engineering / Keith L. Hohn / The present work describes the conversion of bio-derived methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) into different useful chemicals. The first part discusses the direct conversion of MEK to butene over supported copper catalysts (Cu-Al₂O₃, Cu-zeolite Y sodium (Cu-ZYNa) and Cu-zeolite Y hydrogen (Cu-ZYH)) in a fixed bed reactor. In this reaction, MEK is hydrogenated to 2-butanol over metal sites, and further dehydrated on acid sites to produce butene. Experimental results showed that the selectivity of butene was the highest over Cu-ZYNa, and it was improved by finding the optimum reaction temperature, hydrogen pressure and the percentage of copper loaded on ZYNa. The highest selectivity of butene (97.9%) was obtained at 270 °C and 20 wt% Cu-ZYNa. Over Cu-Al₂O₃, the selectivity of butenes was less than Cu-ZYNa since subsequent hydrogenation of butene occurred to produce butane. It was also observed that with increasing H₂/MEK molar ratio, butane selectivity increased. However, when this ratio was decreased, hydrogenation of butene was reduced, but dimerization to C₈ alkenes and alkane began to be favored. The main products over 20% Cu-Al₂O₃ were butene and butane, and the maximum selectivity of butene (87%) was achieved at an H₂/MEK molar ratio of five. The lowest selectivity of butene was obtained using Cu-ZYH, reaching ~40%. It was found that the amount of acidity in Cu-ZYH is much higher than in Cu-ZYNa (from (NH₃-TPD) measurements). This could have caused the selectivity of butene to decrease as a result of dimerization, oligomerization and cracking reactions. The second part describes the conversion of MEK to higher ketones in one step using a multifunctional catalyst having both aldol condensation (aldolization and dehydration) and hydrogenation properties. 15% Cu supported zirconia (ZrO₂) was investigated in the catalytic gas phase reaction of MEK in a fixed bed reactor. The results showed that the main product was 5-methyl-3-heptanone in addition to 5-methyl-3-heptanol and 2-butanol with side products including other heavy products (C₁₂ and up). The effects of temperature and the molar ratio of reactants (H₂/MEK) on overall product selectivity were studied. It was found that with increasing temperature, the selectivity to C₈ ketone increased, while selectivity to 2-butanol decreased. The hydrogen pressure plays significant role on the selectivity of products. It was observed that with increasing the H₂/MEK molar ratio, 2-butanol selectivity increased due to hydrogenation reaction while decreasing this ratio leads to increasing aldol condensation products. In addition, it was noted that both conversion and selectivity to the main product increased using a low loading percentage of copper, 1% Cu-ZrO₂. The highest selectivity of 5-methyl-3-heptanone (~63%) was obtained at temperatures around 180 °C and a molar ratio of H₂/MEK of 2. Other metals (Ni, Pd and Pt) supported on ZrO₂ also produced 5-methyl 3-heptanone as the main product with slight differences in selectivity, suggesting that a hydrogenation catalyst is important for making the C₈ ketone, but the exact identity of the metal is less important. The third part discusses the conversion of C₈ ketones to C₈ alkenes and C₈ alkane over a catalyst consisting of a transition metal (Cu or Pt) loaded on alumina (Al₂O₃). These bifunctional catalysts provide both hydrogenation and dehydration functionalities. The main products over 20% Cu-Al₂O₃ were a mixture of 5-methyl-3-heptene, 5-methyl-2-heptene and 3-methyl heptane. However, using 1% Pt-Al₂O₃ the major product was 3-methyl heptane with a selectivity reaching over 97% and a conversion of 99.9 %. Both temperature and the hydrogen pressure play an important role on the conversion of C₈ ketone as well as the selectivity of products (C₈ alkenes and C₈ alkane). Over 20% Cu-Al₂O₃, it was observed that increasing the reaction temperature led to an increase in the selectivity to C₈ alkane as a result of hydrogenation of the C₈ alkene. Also, it was observed that with an increase in H₂/C₈ ketone molar ratio, C₈ alkane selectivity increased. However, when this ratio was decreased, the further hydrogenation of C₈ alkene to C₈ alkane was reduced. The highest selectivity of C₈ alkene (81.7%) was obtained at 220 °C and a H₂/C₈ ketone molar ratio of 2. In addition, an experiment was carried out using a low loading percentage of copper, and it was noted that both conversion and selectivity to the main products decreased over 1% Cu-Al₂O₃. Over 1% Pt-Al₂O₃, C₈ alkane was the major product with different temperatures indicating that further hydrogenation of C₈ alkene was promoted on 1% Pt-Al₂O₃. At low temperature, for both Cu-Al₂O₃ and Pt-Al₂O₃, significant amounts of C₈ alcohols are formed because subsequent reactions do not proceed at a fast enough rate. Also using 1% Pt-Al₂O₃, the main product selectivity is still C₈ alkane with all H₂/C₈ ketone ratios.

The removal of trace amounts of acetylene in ethylene streams is a high-volume industrial process that must possess high selectivity of alkyne hydrogenation over hydrogenation of alkenes. Current technology uses metallic nanoparticles, typically palladium or platinum, for acetylene removal. However, problems arise due to the deactivation of the catalysts at high temperatures as well as low selectivities at high conversions. Pore expanded MCM-41 is synthesized via a two-step strategy in which MCM-41 was prepared via cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMABr) followed by the hydrothermal treatment with N,N-dimethyldecylamine (DMDA). This material was washed with ethanol to remove DMDA, or calcined to remove both surfactants. PE-MCM-41 based materials were impregnated with palladium, gold, and palladium-gold nanoparticles. The removal of DMDA had an effect on both the conversion and selectivity, in which they were found to drop significantly. However, by using the bimetallic PdAu catalysts, higher selectivity could be achieved due to increased electron density.

The present work focusses on the borylation of aryl halides. The first chapter presents a detailed review about previously reported nickel-catalyzed borylation reactions. The second chapter of the thesis describes, the borylation reaction of C–Cl bonds in aryl chlorides mediated by an NHC-stabilized nickel catalyst. The cyclohexyl substituted NHC Cy2Im was used to synthesize novel Cy2Im-stabilized nickel complexes [Ni2(Cy2Im)4(μ-(η2:η2)-COD)] 1, [Ni(Cy2Im)2(η2-C2H4)] 2, and [Ni(Cy2Im)2(η2-COE)] 3. An optimized procedure was developed using 5 mol% of the Ni-catalyst, 1.5 equivalents of the boron reagent B2pin2, and 1.5 equivalents of NaOAc as the base in methylcyclohexane at 100 °C. With these optimized conditions, it was shown that a variety of aryl chlorides, containing either electron-withdrawing or -donating groups, were converted to the corresponding aryl boronic esters in yields up to 99% (88% isolated) yield. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the C–Cl oxidative addition product [Ni(Cy2Im)2(Cl)(4-F3C-C6H4)] 11, which has been synthesized and isolated separately, also catalyzes the reaction. Thus, rapid oxidative addition of the C–Cl bond of the aryl chloride to [Ni2(Cy2Im)4(μ-(η2:η2)-COD)] 1 to yield trans-[Ni(Cy2Im)2(Cl)(Ar)] represents the first step in the catalytic cycle. The rate limiting step in this catalytic cycle is the transmetalation of boron to nickel forming trans-[Ni(Cy2Im)2(Bpin)(Ar)], which was not possible to isolate. The boryl transfer reagent is assumed to be the anionic adduct Na[B2pin2(OAc)]. A final reductive elimination step gives the desired borylated product Ar–Bpin and regenerates [Ni(Cy2Im)2]. In the next chapter the first effective C–Cl bond borylation of aryl chlorides using NHC-stabilized Cu(I)-complexes of the type [Cu(NHC)(Cl)] was developed. The known complexes [Cu(iPr2Im)(Cl)] 15, [Cu(Me2ImMe)(Cl)] 16, and [Cu(Cy2Im)(Cl)] 17, bearing the small alkyl substituted NHCs, were synthesized in good yields by the reaction of copper(I) chloride with the corresponding free NHC at low temperature (-78 °C) in THF. A range of catalysts, bases, solvents, and boron sources were screened to determine the scope and limitations of this reaction. [Cu(Cy2Im)(Cl)] 17 revealed a significantly higher catalytic activity than [Cu(iPr2Im)(Cl)] 15. KOtBu turned out to be the only efficient base for this borylation reaction. Besides methylcyclohexane, toluene was the only solvent that gave the borylated product in moderate yields of 53%. It was shown that a variety of electron-rich and electron-poor aryl chlorides can be converted to the corresponding aryl boronic esters in isolated yields of up to 80%. A mechanism was proposed, in which a Cu-boryl complex [Cu(L)(Bpin)] is formed in the initial step. This is followed by C–B bond formation via σ-bond metathesis with the aryl chloride forming the aryl boronic ester and [Cu(L)(Cl)]. The latter reacts with KOtBu to give [Cu(L)(OtBu)], which regenerates the copper boryl complex by reaction with B2pin2. Chapter 4 describes studies directed towards the transition metal-free borylation of aryl halides using Lewis base adducts of diborane(4) compounds. A variety of novel pyridine and NHC adducts of boron compounds were synthesized. Adducts of the type pyridine·B2cat2 18-19 and NHC·B2(OR)4 20-23 were examined for their ability to transfer a boryl moiety to an aryl iodide. However, only Me2ImMe∙B2pin2 20 was found to be effective. The stoichiometric reaction of 20 with different substituted aryl iodides and bromides in benzene, at elevated temperatures, gave the desired aryl boronic esters in good yields. Interestingly, depending on the reaction temperature, C–C coupling between the aryl halide and the solvent (benzene), was detected leading to a side product which, together with observed hydrodehalogenation of the aryl halide, provided indications that the reaction might be radical in nature. When the boryl transfer reaction based on Me2ImMe∙B2pin2 20 was followed by EPR spectroscopy, a signal (though very weak and ill-defined) was detected, which is suggestive of a mechanism involving a boron-based radical. In addition, the boronium cation [(Me2ImMe)2∙Bpin]+ 37 with iodide as the counterion was isolated from the reaction residue, indicating the fate of the second boryl moiety. A preliminary mechanism for the boryl transfer from 20 to aryl iodides was proposed, which involves an NHC–Bpin˙ radical as the key intermediate. Me2ImMe–Bpin˙ is formed by homolytic B–B bond cleavage of the bis-NHC adduct (Me2ImMe)2∙B2pin2, which is formed in situ in small amounts under the reaction conditions. Me2ImMe–Bpin˙ reacts with the aryl iodide to give the aryl boronic ester with recovery of aromaticity. In the same step, from the second equivalent of NHC–Bpin˙, an NHC-stabilized iodo-Bpin adduct is formed as an intermediate, which is further coordinated by another NHC, yielding [(Me2ImMe)2∙Bpin]+I- 37. / Das erste Kapitel gibt zunächst einen detaillierten Überblick über die Nickel-katalysierte Borylierung. Das zweite Kapitel dieser Arbeit beschreibt die Borylierung von Arylchloriden mithilfe NHC-stabilisierter Nickelkatalysatoren. Dafür wurden zunächst die Nickelkomplexe [Ni2(Cy2Im)4(μ-(η2:η2)-COD)] 1, [Ni(Cy2Im)2(η2-C2H4)] 2 und [Ni(Cy2Im)2(η2-COE)] 3 dargestellt. Als optimale Bedingungen für die Borylierung haben sich 5 Mol-% des Ni-Katalysators, 1.5 Äquivalente des Borylierungsreagenzes B2pin2 und 1.5 Äquivalente NaOAc als Base in Methylcyclohexan bei 100 °C erwiesen. Unter diesen optimierten Bedingungen lassen sich eine Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Arylchloride in die jeweiligen Arylboronsäureester in Ausbeuten von bis zu 99% (88% für die isolierte Verbindung) überführen. Der Komplex [Ni(Cy2Im)2(Cl)(4-F3C-C6H4)] 11, das Produkt der oxidativen Addition von 4-F3C-C6H4-Cl an [Ni2(Cy2Im)4(μ-(η2:η2)-COD)] 1, katalysiert ebenfalls die Reaktion. Mechanistischen Untersuchungen zufolge, stellt die rasche oxidative Addition der C–Cl-Bindung des Arylchlorids an [Ni2(Cy2Im)4(μ-(η2:η2)-COD)] 1 unter der Ausbildung von trans-[Ni(Cy2Im)2(Cl)(Ar)], den ersten Schritt des Katalysezykluses dar. Der geschwindigkeitsbestimmende Schritt in diesem Katalysezyklus ist die Transmetallierung von Bor zu Nickel unter Bildung von trans-[Ni(Cy2Im)2(Bpin)(Ar)]. Es wird angenommen, dass es sich bei dem Boryltransferreagenz um das anionische Addukt Na[B2pin2(OAc)] handelt. Ein letzter reduktiver Eliminierungsschritt ergibt das gewünschte borylierte Produkt Ar–Bpin unter Rückgewinnung von [Ni(Cy2Im)2]. Im nächsten Kapitel der Arbeit wurde die erste effiziente C–Cl-Borylierung von Arylchloriden entwickelt. Eine Reihe verschiedener Katalysatoren des Typs [Cu(NHC)(Cl)], Basen, Lösungsmitteln und Borylierungsreagenzien wurden untersucht, um die Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und Grenzen dieser Reaktion zu bestimmen. Der Komplex [Cu(Cy2Im)(Cl)] 17 zeigte dabei eine signifikant höhere katalytische Aktivität als [Cu(iPr2Im)(Cl)] 15. Des Weiteren erwies sich KOtBu als einzige geeignete Base für diese Reaktion und Methylcyclohexan stellte sich als optimales Lösungsmittel heraus. Unter diesen optimierten Bedingungen lassen sich eine Vielzahl, sowohl elektronenreicher als auch elektronenarmer Arylchloride in die entsprechenden Arylboronsäureester in Ausbeuten von bis zu 80% überführen. Ein Mechanismus der Reaktion wurde postuliert, wonach zunächst ein Kupfer-Boryl-Komplex [Cu(L)(Bpin)] gebildet wird. Darauf folgt die Knüpfung einer C–B-Bindung durch eine σ-Bindungsmetathese mit dem Arylchlorid, wobei der gewünschte Arylboronsäureester und [Cu(L)(Cl)] gebildet wird. Im Folgenden reagiert [Cu(L)(Cl)] mit KOtBu zu [Cu(L)(OtBu)], wodurch durch Reaktion mit B2pin2 der Kupfer-Boryl-Komplex regeneriert wird. Kapitel 4 beschreibt Untersuchungen zur übergangsmetallfreien Borylierung von Arylhalogeniden unter Verwendung von Lewis-Basen-Addukten von Diboran(4)-Verbindungen. Die Addukte des Typs Pyridin·B2cat2 18-19 und NHC·B2(OR)4 20-23 wurden weiter auf ihre Fähigkeiten hin untersucht, eine Boryleinheit auf ein Aryliodid zu übertragen. Ausschließlich Me2ImMe∙B2pin2 20 stellte sich hierbei als wirksam heraus. Die stöchiometrische Reaktion von 20 mit verschiedenartig substituierten Aryliodiden und -bromiden in Benzol bei erhöhten Temperaturen lieferte die gewünschten Arylboronsäureester in guten Ausbeuten. Interessanterweise wurde als Nebenreaktion eine von der Reaktionstemperatur abhängige C–C-Kupplung zwischen dem Arylhalogenid und dem Lösungsmittel (Benzol) beobachtet. Sowohl das C–C-Kupplungsnebenprodukt, als auch eine beobachtete Hydrodehalogenierung des Arylhalogenids deuten darauf hin, dass die Reaktion von radikalischer Natur sein könnte. Die Verfolgung der von Me2ImMe∙B2pin2 20 ausgehenden Boryltransferreaktion mittels ESR-Spektroskopie zeigte ein Signal, was auf einen Mechanismus mit Beteiligung eines Borradikals hinweist. Weitere Untersuchungen ergaben experimentelle Beweise für die Anwesenheit von Radikalen im Verlauf der Reaktion. Des Weiteren wurde das Boroniumkation [(Me2ImMe)2∙Bpin]+ 37 mit Iodid als Gegenion aus dem Reaktionsrückstand isoliert, was den Verbleib der zweiten Boryleinheit erklärt. Ein vorläufiger Mechanismus für den Boryltransfer von Me2ImMe∙B2pin2 20 auf Aryliodide wurde vorgeschlagen, wobei ein NHC–Bpin˙-Radikal als Schlüsselintermediat fungiert. Me2ImMe–Bpin˙ wird durch homolytische Spaltung der B–B-Bindung des Bis-NHC-Addukts (Me2ImMe)2∙B2pin2 gebildet, welches unter den gegebenen Reaktionsbedingungen in geringen Mengen in situ gebildet wird. Me2ImMe–Bpin˙ reagiert mit dem Aryliodid unter Rückgewinnung der Aromatizität zum gewünschten Arylboronsäureester. Im gleichen Schritt wird aus dem zweiten Äquivalent NHC–Bpin˙ ein NHC-stabilisiertes Iod-Bpin-Addukt als Zwischenprodukt gebildet. Dieses wird von einem weiteren NHC unter Bildung von [(Me2ImMe)2∙Bpin]+I- 37 koordiniert.

Yes / The deactivation of the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) catalysts is a challenge and is a major concern in industrial catalytic processes. In this work, an activated carbon (AC) was prepared from agricultural waste and modified to withstand the ODS activity loss over time. The AC was impregnated with manganese and coated with aluminum oxide to prolong the activity lifetime. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and transition electron microscope (TEM). The BET surface areas of the examined AC materials were 814.48 m2/g, 784.76 m2/g, and 755.03 m2/g for the AC, Mn/AC, and coated Mn/AC catalysts, respectively with a dominance of microporous pore size. The TGA showed that the coating layer retards the degradation of the active metal and suppresses phase transitions. XRD showed no change in the structure of the catalyst with a coating layer, and from the TEM analysis, the coating layer thickness was 3.6 nm. The kinetics of the ODS catalysts were investigated. It was shown that the ODS reaction follows the first-order kinetics and is not influenced by the coating layer. The activity decay was also investigated. It is found that the activation energy of the deactivation reaction over the coated catalyst was higher than the uncoated catalyst.

No description available.

No description available.

This thesis explores both the optical and catalytic properties of cubic shaped nanoparticles. The investigation begins with the sensing capabilities of cubic metal dimers. Of all the plasmonic solid nanoparticles, single Ag or Au nanocubes exhibit the strongest electromagnetic fields. When two nanoparticles are in close proximity to each other the formation of hot spots between plasmonic nanoparticles is known to greatly enhance these electromagnetic fields even further. The sensitivity of these electromagnetic fields as well as the sensitivity of the plasmonic extinction properties is important to the development of plasmonic sensing. However, an investigation of the electromagnetic fields and the corresponding sensing capabilities of cubic shaped dimers are currently lacking. In Chapters 2-5 the optical properties of cubic dimers made of either silver or gold are examined as a function of separation distance, surrounding environment, and dimer orientation. A detailed DDA simulation of Au–Au and Ag-Ag dimers oriented in a face-to-face configuration is conducted in Chapter 2. In this Chapter a distance dependent competition between two locations for hot spot formation is observed. The effect of this competition on the sensing capabilities of these dimers is further explored in Chapters 3 and 4. This competition originates from the generation of two different plasmonic modes. Each mode is defined by a unique electromagnetic field distribution between the adjacent nanocubes. In Chapter 4 the maximum value of the electromagnetic field intensity is investigated for each mode. Notably the magnitude of the electromagnetic field is not directly proportional to its extinction intensity. Furthermore, the sensitivity of a plasmonic mode does not depend on its extinction intensity. The sensitivity is rather a function of the magnitude of the electromagnetic field intensity distribution. Also, the presence of a high refractive index substrate drastically affects the optical properties and subsequent sentivity of the dimer. In Chapter 5 the sensing properties of a cubic dimer is investigated as a function of orientation. As the separation distance of the nanocube dimer is decreased the orientation of the dimer drastically affects its coupling behavior. The expected dipole-dipole exponential coupling behavior of the dimer is found to fail at a separation distance of 14 nm for the edge-to-edge arrangement. The failure of the dipole-dipole coupling mechanism results from an increased contribution from the higher order multipoles (eg. quadrupole-dipole). This behavior begins at a separation distance of 6 nm for the face-to-face dimer. As a result, the relative ratio of the multipole to the dipole moment generated by the edge-to-edge dimer must be larger than the ratio for the face-to-face orientation. In the last section of this thesis the catalytic properties of cubic nanoparticles composed of a platinum-silver alloy are investigated. The catalytic activity and selectivity towards a given reaction is intimately related to the physical and electronic structure of the catalyst. These cubic platinum-silver alloys are utilized as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A maximum enhancement in the specific activity (3.5 times greater than pure platinum) towards the ORR is observed for the cubic platinum-silver alloy with the lowest platinum content. This activity is investigated as a function of the physical structure of a cubic shaped catalyst as well as the electronic modifications induced by the formation of a platinum-silver alloy.