Om Prakash Yadav

Title : Microemulsion mediated synthesis of platinum nanoparticles for heterogeneous catalytic oxidation of carbonmonoxide

Abstract:

Platinum nanoparticles were synthesized by reducing platinum ions inside reverse micellar micro-reactors. The size of metal nanoparticles was controlled by varying [Water]/[Surfactant] molar ratio in water-in-oil microemulsions. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image revealed uniform distribution of platinum nanoparticles at the surface of carrier alumina. For measuring the heterogeneous catalytic efficacy of synthesized Pt/Al₂O₃ composite powder, the oxidation of CO to CO₂ was carried out using a vertical quartz reactor tube connected to a quadrupole mass-spectrometer. A continuous flow of a mixture of gases CO(1%), O₂(5%) and Argon(94%) was allowed to flow inside the reactor tube preloaded with 0.1g catalyst. Effects of parameters such as the nature of platinum salt, [H₂O]/[surfactant] ratio, and added polymer (PVP or PEG) on the efficiency of the catalyst have been investigated. Whereas, using pure alumina as a catalyst, CO to CO₂ conversion occured at 325 ⁰C, with as-synthesized Pt/Al₂O₃ (1:50) composite catalyst, such conversion could take place at 145 ⁰C. The results show that the newly synthesized Pt/Al₂O₃ nanocomposite catalyst can be used efficiently to eliminate toxic CO gas, a serious environmental pollutant, from the exhaust system of internal combustion engines.

Biography:

Dr. Om Prakash Yadav Ph.D. in Chemistry from Panjab University, Chandigarh (India); worked as an Assist. Professor (1975-1986), Assoc. Professor (1987-1994), and Professor of Chemistry (1995-2003) at CCS Haryana Agricultural University in India, and then as a Professor of Chemistry at Haramaya University, Ethiopia (2008-2014). Prof. Yadav was awarded Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Fellowship in 1996. During 2000, he worked as a Visiting Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg (Sweden). He has guided in research, several Ph.Ds., and published about 100 research papers in International Journals. Dr. Yadav is member of several Academic/Scientific organizations and is also working at the Editorial Boards of a number of International Scientific Journals. His research interest includes Nano-material Synthesis and its applications in environmental remediation against Pollutants, and study of intermolecular Interaction in solutions.