Development of Novel Catalytic Membranes

Atomic quantum clusters (AQCls) of less than 500 atoms and sizes less than 4 nanometers are considered very promising for the development of novel and cost-effective catalytic processes. Novel nanotechnology methods have been developed for the preparation of hierarchically structured carbon nanostructures (HSCN) encapsulating single and mixed metal AQCls in carbon nanotube arrays or graphene hierarchical catalytic membranes or catalyst particles.

The novel catalysts can be used for the dehydrogenation of light hydrocarbons and GTL, presenting reduced deactivation and minimum agglomeration.