Gerhard Mestl

Bio: Gerhard Mestl is an academic researcher from Clariant. The author has contributed to research in topics: Catalysis & Oxide. The author has an hindex of 39, co-authored 103 publications receiving 4753 citations. Previous affiliations of Gerhard Mestl include Max Planck Society & Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society.

Raman spectroscopy of molybdenum oxides

Abstract: A special sample was prepared by controlled oxidation of MoO2, which contained MoO2, Mo4O11 and MoO3, in order to extend the knowledge about the resonance Raman effect in reduced molybdenum oxides from those close to MoO3 to those close to MoO2. This knowledge is of paramount importance because technical partial oxidation catalysts often contain intermediate Mo oxides of the Magneli type, e.g. Mo4O11, or Mo5O14. The Raman spectra of orthorhombic Mo4O11 and MoO2 have been identified in a Raman microspectroscopic image of 100 single spectra recorded of a mixture of MoO3, MoO2 and Mo4O11. A resonance Raman effect was proven to be responsible for the detection of the molybdenum oxide phases Mo4O11 and MoO2 in dilution with BN when excited at a laser wavelength of 632.8 nm by comparison with Raman microspectroscopic images of the identical sample when excited at 532 nm. The resonance Raman detection of reduced molybdenum oxide phases is discussed in the above mentioned context of their active role in catalytic partial oxidation reactions.

Raman spectroscopy of monolayer-type oxide catalysts: Supported Mo oxides

Abstract: Oxides of the group VIb metals (Cr, Mo, W) and oxides of vanadium, rhenium, and niobium supported on a second high-surface-area metal oxide such as Al2O3, TiO2, Si02, ZrO2, and so forth are recognized as industrially important catalysts or catalyst precursors for various reactions [1–11], These materials frequently have been described as so-called monolayer catalysts based on a structural model which assumed spreading of the active oxide over the support surface. These catalysts have been investigated by a variety of techniques, conventional bulk sampling techniques as well as by surface-sensitive electron and ion spectroscopies, in an attempt to elucidate the nature of the catalyst surface species, and to study the coordination environment of the active metal center(s). Electronic spectroscopy gives rise to broad bands and the spectra are less informative than vibrational spectra. In addition, although techniques such as Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS...

The Catalytic Use of Onion‐Like Carbon Materials for Styrene Synthesis by Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethylbenzene

Abstract: -hybridizednanostructuredcarbonhasreceivedincreasingattention both from a fundamental point of view and forpotential applications. A large variety of new fullerene-related materials (giant fullerenes, nanotubes, nanospheres,nanocones, nanofolders, nanobundles, onion-like carbons(OLCs)) have been synthesized.

Carbon Nanofilaments in Heterogeneous Catalysis: An Industrial Application for New Carbon Materials?

Abstract: Special carbon! Carbon nanofilaments differ from graphite and soot catalysts in their high stability during the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene. The high yields of styrene achieved suggest that a first industrial application of carbon nanofilaments in catalysis is possible.

Shape‐Controlled Synthesis of Metal Nanocrystals: Simple Chemistry Meets Complex Physics?

Abstract: Nanocrystals are fundamental to modern science and technology. Mastery over the shape of a nanocrystal enables control of its properties and enhancement of its usefulness for a given application. Our aim is to present a comprehensive review of current research activities that center on the shape-controlled synthesis of metal nanocrystals. We begin with a brief introduction to nucleation and growth within the context of metal nanocrystal synthesis, followed by a discussion of the possible shapes that a metal nanocrystal might take under different conditions. We then focus on a variety of experimental parameters that have been explored to manipulate the nucleation and growth of metal nanocrystals in solution-phase syntheses in an effort to generate specific shapes. We then elaborate on these approaches by selecting examples in which there is already reasonable understanding for the observed shape control or at least the protocols have proven to be reproducible and controllable. Finally, we highlight a number of applications that have been enabled and/or enhanced by the shape-controlled synthesis of metal nanocrystals. We conclude this article with personal perspectives on the directions toward which future research in this field might take.

Graphitic carbon nitride materials: variation of structure and morphology and their use as metal-free catalysts

Abstract: Graphitic carbon nitride, g-C3N4, can be made by polymerization of cyanamide, dicyandiamide or melamine. Depending on reaction conditions, different materials with different degrees of condensation, properties and reactivities are obtained. The firstly formed polymeric C3N4 structure, melon, with pendant amino groups, is a highly ordered polymer. Further reaction leads to more condensed and less defective C3N4 species, based on tri-s-triazine (C6N7) units as elementary building blocks. High resolution transmission electron microscopy proves the extended two-dimensional character of the condensation motif. Due to the polymerization-type synthesis from a liquid precursor, a variety of material nanostructures such as nanoparticles or mesoporous powders can be accessed. Those nanostructures also allow fine tuning of properties, the ability for intercalation, as well as the possibility to give surface-rich materials for heterogeneous reactions. Due to the special semiconductor properties of carbon nitrides, they show unexpected catalytic activity for a variety of reactions, such as for the activation of benzene, trimerization reactions, and also the activation of carbon dioxide. Model calculations are presented to explain this unusual case of heterogeneous, metal-free catalysis. Carbon nitride can also act as a heterogeneous reactant, and a new family of metal nitride nanostructures can be accessed from the corresponding oxides.

The properties and applications of nanodiamonds

Abstract: Nanodiamonds have excellent mechanical and optical properties, high surface areas and tunable surface structures. They are also non-toxic, which makes them well suited to biomedical applications. Here we review the synthesis, structure, properties, surface chemistry and phase transformations of individual nanodiamonds and clusters of nanodiamonds. In particular we discuss the rational control of the mechanical, chemical, electronic and optical properties of nanodiamonds through surface doping, interior doping and the introduction of functional groups. These little gems have a wide range of potential applications in tribology, drug delivery, bioimaging and tissue engineering, and also as protein mimics and a filler material for nanocomposites.

Carbon nanotubes and nanofibers in catalysis

Abstract: This review analyses the literature from the early 1990s until the beginning of 2003 and covers the use of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and nanofibers as catalysts and catalysts supports. The article is composed of three sections, the first one explains why these materials can be suitable for these applications, the second describes the different preparation methods for supporting metallic catalysts on these supports, and the last one details the catalytic results obtained with nanotubes or nanofibers based catalysts. When possible, the results were compared to those obtained on classical carbonaceous supports and explanations are proposed to clarify the different behaviors observed.