Template growth of novel nanostructures with catalytic mesoporous materials, atomic level control synthesis strategy

The proposed work is aimed to design and synthesize Co-SBA-15 mesoporous materials with physicochemical properties precisely controlled for growing SWNT with narrow diameter distribution and nearly single chirality. We expect to attain a fundamental, molecular-level understanding of the catalytic reactivity and mechanisms controlling the newly developed templated synthesis method for single wall carbon nanotubes in a wide range of catalytic template dimensions. The main results of this project will enable elaboration of new comprehensive theories on structure-property relations and will help develop the methodology and tools to design and synthesize molecularly ordered assemblies having a wide range of potential applications. This would present a very significant advance in the state of the art on nanocatalytic technology. We will also exploit the special features of our catalytic system to provide the basis for a new model system for the study of radius of curvature effects in catalysis. We have already demonstrated the feasibility of using mesoporous material templating to obtain controlled diameter SWNT. In this project, we propose to extend this work to a wider range of mesopore diameters (up to 30nm) that is of both scientific and practical interest. Most of the catalyst syntheses are conducted case by case, i.e., a matter of trial and error; there is a notable lack of reliable general methodologies. Only recently has there been an upsurge of interest to explore catalyst synthesis in a more quantitative manner. A systematic approach by means of statistical modeling will be carried out to analyze the synthesis of SBA-15 and the stabilization of sub-nanometer scale Co clusters in this catalytic system. A newly developed technique, so called sol-gel surface modification, will be thoroughly investigated and applied to tune the Co reducibility in a more consistent manner.RG 118/0