| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S42682/01 |
| Title: |
Palladium bionanoclusters: novel approaches to understanding a novel catalysis |
| Principal Investigator: |
Macaskie, Professor LE |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Sch of Biosciences |
| Organisation: |
University of Birmingham |
| Scheme: |
Postdoctoral Mobility PreFEC |
| Starts: |
15 November 2003 |
Ends: |
14 May 2005 |
Value (£): |
76,572
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Bioprocess Engineering |
Catalysis & Applied Catalysis |
| Condensed Matter Physics |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Chemicals |
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Nanocrystalline Pd(O)clusters are deposited on the surface of sulfate-reducing bacteria via a mechanism involving sorption of soluble Pd(II) followed by its reduction to Pd(O) under H2 via 3 main cellular hydrogenases. Bio-Pd(O) has catalytic activity >> than chemically-reduced Pd(O), likely attributable to the small nanocluster size (-5 nm), + templating effects of the cell surface matrix + cluster nucleation at the hydrogenase(s) which supply electrons to the Pd(O): a semi-artificial e- transport chain. Understanding the fundamental characteristics! linkages of this bio-Pd(O) hybrid material is vital to understanding why the material is superior and, later, how greater reaction specifics could be engineered. The bio-Pd(O) contains ferromagnetic components (average of 5% of each grain), consistent with a dominantly surface effect, and possible new physics which is masked in bulk chemical samples produced 'classically. As a test reaction of high environmental significance, bio-Pd(O) nanocatalyst alone catalyses the breakdown of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). It is possible to visualise chlorobenzene, its dechlorination and breakdown, directly via scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) on a graphite model surface. We will record spatially + temporally (via STM) the dehalogenation of PCBs via Pd(O) size-selected nanoclusters on graphite, using the STM tip to 'push' electrons as a 'surrogate' for the hydrogenase e- source ('bottom up' in vitro study). Parallel studies ('top down') will biosynthesise Pd clusters with nucleations/ localisations 'steered' via specific hydrogenase knockout mutants + magnetic measurement (calculate cluster size, localise crystals), relating to catalytic activity vs. PCBs
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.bham.ac.uk |