Date of Completion

5-6-2013

Embargo Period

5-6-2013

Major Advisor

Steven L. Suib

Associate Advisor

Basu A. K.

Associate Advisor

Raymond Joesten

Field of Study

Chemistry

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Open Access

Open Access

Abstract

The research work presented here is focused on designing new synthetic techniques for transition metal oxide nanomaterials for better control over surface area, particle size, morphology, and catalytic activity as compared to con­ventional techniques. Materials synthesized via these methods were thoroughly characterized and used in various model chemical reactions. The first part describes a novel, ultrasound assisted synthesis of manganese octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2) nanomaterials. Recently with the advancement of nanotechnology, an extensive effort has been paid to control the morphology, particle size, porosity, and surface area of manganese oxide materials, since the above-mentioned properties have a significant impact on the catalysis, adsorption, separation, energy storage, environmental applications, and medical applications. The utilization of sound waves for the synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials provides control over the properties mentioned above, which is often challenging by conventional methods. The as synthesized materials possess the highest surface area reported in the literature without metal doping. OMS-2 synthesized using sonochemical methods was characterized by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), BET specific surface area, pore volume, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-Ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The materials synthesized using ultrasound showed excellent catalytic activity as compared to OMS-2 materials synthesized using a conventional reflux method or as compared to commercial MnO2 catalysts

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