Invited Paper TF+EN-MoA1
Atomic Layer Deposition for the Synthesis of Nanostructured Catalysts

Monday, October 29, 2012, 2:00 pm, Room 11

The successful transition to an energy economy based on biomass will require radical advances in catalyst science. This challenge demands a new paradigm in catalyst synthesis whereby inorganic components can be assembled at the atomic scale to yield complex, multifunctional catalysts rivaling Nature’s enzymes in their specificity. To this end, we have developed a novel approach combining templated synthesis for shape-selectivity with the atomically-precise positioning of discrete functionalities. In this approach we begin with a supporting scaffold for catalyst growth upon which we chemically attach molecular templates. Next, atomic layer deposition is used to build a structure around each template in an atomically precise, layer-by-layer fashion where the thickness and composition can be tuned at each layer. Finally, the template is removed yielding a “nanobowl” defining a structured catalytic environment. The molecular template can be synthesized to contain bulky organic ligands surrounding a catalytic atom or cluster which remains anchored to the bottom of the bowl after ligand removal. Furthermore, one or more layers in the bowl wall can be selected to serve as a co-catalyst (e.g. Lewis acid group) positioned at a well-defined distance from the catalyst at the bottom of the bowl. This presentation will review our recent progress synthesizing, characterizing, modeling, and testing these unique catalytic materials.