Facilities

Our group has full spectrum of facilities for theoretical and experimental studies. The unique equipment is listed here:

Bench-top reactor for emission treatment catalyst testing: On this reactor, simulated exhaust gas is generated and passed over the catalyst. The gas stream is analyzed by a combination of analyzers (PA-IR analyzer for HC, N₂O, NH₃, H₂O, CO, Rosemont analyzers for CO, CO₂, and SO₂, and California Analytical analyzer for NO and NO₂).

Ex-situ Reactor: This reactor permits exposure of catalyst, deposited on a transmission electron microscopy sample grid, to operating conditions. As such, the changes in catalyst as a function of operating conditions can be monitored since one can study same area repeatedly.

High-Pressure Reactor: This reactor is designed to carry out catalytic reactions at pressure up to 1450 psi and temperatures up to 650°C. The reactor is connected to a Gas Chromatograph for analysis.

In addition to the unique capabilities, we have following synthetic capabilities:

1. Synthesis and design of new precursors for sol-gel processing
2. Molecular sieve and template assisted mesoporous material synthesis
3. Supported catalysts by traditional impregnation methods employing salts and organometallic precursors
4. Supported catalyst synthesis by vapor depositon methods
5. Zeolite synthesis

The standard catalyst characterization tools such as BET surface area, porosity, and temperature programmed reduction systems are also available. For structural studies, X-ray powder diffraction, solid state NMR, and Aberration Corrected Electron Microscopes are also accessible.