Jean-Philippe Tessonnier, assistant professor and Carol & Jack Johnson Faculty Fellow in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, was the featured “Mover & Shaker” in The Catalyst Review‘s November 2012 edition.
In the article, Tessonnier discusses the interdisciplinary approach his group uses to develop defect-engineering strategies that will enable the design of a new class of nanocarbon-based heterogeneous catalysts for the sustainable production of fuels and chemicals. Concepts in organic chemistry, physical chemistry and chemical engineering are applied to this innovative research.
Tessonnier provides more details of his research in the November 2012 edition of The Catalyst Review:
“Traditionally, catalysis research has focused on C–C and C–H bond activation, which is critical in the transformation of hydrocarbon feedstock to fuels and chemicals. In contrast, sustainable alternatives based on bioresources involve the conversion of carbohydrates, alcohols and lipids derived from biomass feedstock compounds, which are significantly more reactive and for which C–O and O–H bond chemistry become predominant. Reactions are carried out at significantly lower temperatures and in liquid phase, most often in green solvents such as water or alcohols. While existing catalysts used in petrochemistry can be adapted to some extent, our group fosters the development of radically new catalytic materials and reaction pathways. Specifically, we aim at designing selective, hydrothermally-stable heterogeneous catalysts based on engineered carbon materials.”
For more information on The Catalyst Review, click here.
