Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering • Clemson University
RESEARCH
Dual-Function Materials for CO2 Capture and Conversion into Methanol and Higher Alcohols
Our group is developing dual-function materials for CO2 capture and conversion, aiming to transform CO2 emissions into valuable chemicals such as methanol and higher alcohols. Rather than treating CO2 capture and catalytic conversion as separate, energy-intensive steps, we design materials that combine CO2 sorbent and catalytic sites in close proximity. This approach enables one-pot or cyclic capture-conversion strategies that could reduce the energy demands, corrosion challenges, and transportation requirements associated with conventional CO2 capture and sequestration.
The project integrates controlled materials synthesis, advanced characterization, catalytic testing, and reaction engineering to understand and improve CO2 hydrogenation pathways. Research efforts focus on metal oxide–metal inverse catalysts with a high density of interfacial sites, engineered CO2 microenvironments, catalyst stability, and high-pressure cyclic reactor studies relevant to commercial operation. Together, these efforts aim to advance the mechanistic understanding and practical performance of dual-function materials to convert CO2 into methanol and other value-added products, thereby contributing to circular and low-carbon routes for fuels and chemicals.
Catalytic Materials for the Dry Reforming of Methane (DRM)
Our group is developing advanced perovskite-based materials for CO2 capture and conversion, with the goal of transforming CO2 and CH4 into synthesis gas and methanol. This collaborative project explores how tailored materials can improve greenhouse gas utilization under both thermal and plasma-assisted reaction environments.
Within the collaboration, our group focuses on materials synthesis, characterization, CO2 binding, and thermal catalytic performance. We are developing perovskites and metal-perovskites dual-function materials that can activate CO2 and CH4, promote selective methanol formation, and provide insight into how composition, surface properties, oxygen mobility, and metal–oxide interfaces influence reactivity. By comparing thermal catalysis with plasma-assisted experiments performed by our collaborators, the project will help distinguish the roles of material structure, surface chemistry, electric fields, and activated gas-phase species in CO2 conversion.
Polymer-Based Catalysts for Biomass Conversion and PET/HDPE Recycling
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Our group develops polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSSA)-based catalysts for biomass conversion and plastic recycling. These catalysts combine the high activity of homogeneous catalysts with the practical advantage of recovery and reuse, offering a flexible platform for converting renewable feedstocks and polymer waste into valuable products.
For biomass conversion, we developed PSSA-based catalysts with Brønsted and Lewis acidity for the one-pot synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from glucose and potato starch. These recoverable and reusable catalysts can carry out all key reaction steps, including starch hydrolysis, glucose isomerization, and fructose dehydration.
For plastic recycling, we apply relevant PSSA-based catalytic strategies to the deconstruction of PET and HDPE. For example, PSSA exhibited superior performance compared with H2SO4 in the hydrolysis of PET to terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol. This was attributed to the improved wetabbility of the PET surface due to the hydrophobic nature of the polystyrene backbone, thereby supporting more circular routes for plastic waste utilization.
Nanocomposites for the Detection of Hydroxyl Radicals
Free radicals are extremely reactive and unstable chemicals generated from various sources like biological metabolism and atmospheric reactions. Overproduction of free radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals, in a human body, is known as one of the causes for accelerated aging, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Therefore, a rapid and efficient detection of free radicals is essential for the prevention and cure of these diseases. Several methods have been used for the detection of free radicals; however, most of them are not accurate and consistent enough in identifying the type and concentration of free radicals. The goal of this project to make a highly sensitive, robust, and reusable sensor for hydroxyl radicals. The sensor is regarded as greatly beneficial not only for medical diagnosis, but also for fuel cells, and environmental monitoring.
Current Funding Support
