Transition metal carbide (TMC) novel materials for novel catalytic applications

Transition metal carbides (TMC) constitute a diverse class of materials and traditionally have many technological applications. TMC became a subject of extensive research since 1973, when their platinum -like properties were discovered. They demonstrated high catalytical activity and selectivity in a variety of chemical reaction and have potential for some novel catalytic application. This research is an effort to design new high effective, selective and stable bimetal or alkali promoted TMC catalyst. After extensive theoretical research a wide range of TMC, including bimetal and alkali promoted carbides, were synthesized by different methods. All solids were characterized by XRD and microscopy. The way was found to obtain and control desirable structure of final product by applying method of synthesis, changing conditions and a choice of precursors. The catalytic activity of new TMCs was tested in model reaction of hydrogenation and in Fisher-Tropsch synthesis for their production of alcohols. A lab scale gas to liquid system has been developed for that evaluation. Cobalt and nickel molybdenum carbides with different types of phases demonstrated high activity and selectivity. The spent catalysts were also characterized in order to establish its stability and changes in structure morphology