Hilde Poelman

Bio: Hilde Poelman is an academic researcher from Ghent University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Catalysis & Chemical looping combustion. The author has an hindex of 36, co-authored 160 publications receiving 5655 citations.

Probing the Lewis acidity and catalytic activity of the metal-organic framework [Cu3(btc)2] (BTC=benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate).

Abstract: An optimized procedure was designed for the preparation of the microporous metal-organic framework (MOF) [Cu3(btc)2] (BTC=benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate). The crystalline material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, SEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N2 sorption, thermogravimetry, and IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. CO adsorbs on a small number of Cu2O impurities, and particularly on the free CuII coordination sites in the framework. [Cu3(btc)2] is a highly selective Lewis acid catalyst for the isomerization of terpene derivatives, such as the rearrangement of alpha-pinene oxide to campholenic aldehyde and the cyclization of citronellal to isopulegol. By using the ethylene ketal of 2-bromopropiophenone as a test substrate, it was demonstrated that the active sites in [Cu3(btc)2] are hard Lewis acids. Catalyst stability, re-usability, and heterogeneity are critically assessed.

Enhanced Carbon-Resistant Dry Reforming Fe-Ni Catalyst: Role of Fe

Abstract: A series of bimetallic Fe-Ni/MgAl2O4 catalysts with Fe/Ni ratios between 0 and 1.5 have been examined for methane dry reforming at 923–1073 K, atmospheric pressure, and a CH4/CO2 ratio of 1. The evolution of the catalyst structure during H2 temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), CO2 temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO), and dry reforming is examined using time-resolved in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD). During H2-TPR up to 973 K, Fe2O3 and NiO are reduced to Fe and Ni. Higher temperatures lead to Fe-Ni alloy formation. The alloy remains stable up to 900 K under CO2-TPO and is decomposed to Ni and Fe3O4 at higher temperatures. The Fe-Ni alloy is the active phase while Fe partially segregates from the alloy forming FeOx during dry reforming. This is beneficial as it reduces the surface carbon accumulation through interaction with FeOx lattice oxygen, producing CO. Alternate CH4 and CO2 pulse experiments over Ni, Fe, and Ni-Fe samples showed that dry reforming over Fe-Ni catalysts can follow a Mars–van Krev...

Super-dry reforming of methane intensifies CO2 utilization via Le Chatelier’s principle

Abstract: Efficient CO2 transformation from a waste product to a carbon source for chemicals and fuels will require reaction conditions that effect its reduction. We developed a “super-dry” CH4 reforming reaction for enhanced CO production from CH4 and CO2. We used Ni/MgAl2O4 as a CH4-reforming catalyst, Fe2O3/MgAl2O4 as a solid oxygen carrier, and CaO/Al2O3 as a CO2 sorbent. The isothermal coupling of these three different processes resulted in higher CO production as compared with that of conventional dry reforming, by avoiding back reactions with water. The reduction of iron oxide was intensified through CH4 conversion to syngas over Ni and CO2 extraction and storage as CaCO3. CO2 is then used for iron reoxidation and CO production, exploiting equilibrium shifts effected with inert gas sweeping (Le Chatelier’s principle). Super-dry reforming uses up to three CO2 molecules per CH4 and offers a high CO space-time yield of 7.5 millimole CO per second per kilogram of iron at 1023 kelvin.

Carbon gasification from Fe–Ni catalysts after methane dry reforming

Abstract: Carbon species removal was studied from a Fe–Ni catalyst supported on MgAl2O4 after methane dry reforming at 1023 K, atmospheric pressure and a CH4/CO2 molar ratio of 1:1. The deactivated and regenerated catalysts were characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)-STEM mapping. The catalyst regeneration was studied by CO2 and O2 temperature programmed oxidation (TPO) and by operando time-resolved X-ray diffraction (XRD). A transient response technique, Temporal analysis of products (TAP), was applied to investigate the isothermal carbon species gasification. Two different types of carbon species, graphitic and amorphous, were present after reaction. CO2 oxidation could remove part of the carbon species, although EDX-STEM mapping showed the presence of carbon species located far from active metals phase even after CO2–TPO at 1123 K. Carbon species removal by CO2 involves two contributions: (1) the dissociation of CO2 over Ni followed by the oxidation of carbon species by surface oxygen; (2) Fe oxidation by CO2 and subsequent carbon species oxidation by Fe oxide lattice oxygen. The oxidation of carbon species by O2 was identified from temperature programmed and isothermal experiments as a process including two processes: (1) oxidation of surface carbon by lattice oxygen and (2) particles migration to carbon species deposited far from active metals and subsequent oxidation through lattice oxygen of the iron and/or nickel oxides. The contribution of oxygen spillover in carbon gasification was considered to be negligible.

The Chemistry and Applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks

Abstract: Crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are formed by reticular synthesis, which creates strong bonds between inorganic and organic units. Careful selection of MOF constituents can yield crystals of ultrahigh porosity and high thermal and chemical stability. These characteristics allow the interior of MOFs to be chemically altered for use in gas separation, gas storage, and catalysis, among other applications. The precision commonly exercised in their chemical modification and the ability to expand their metrics without changing the underlying topology have not been achieved with other solids. MOFs whose chemical composition and shape of building units can be multiply varied within a particular structure already exist and may lead to materials that offer a synergistic combination of properties.

Metal–organic framework materials as catalysts

Abstract: A critical review of the emerging field of MOF-based catalysis is presented. Discussed are examples of: (a) opportunistic catalysis with metal nodes, (b) designed catalysis with framework nodes, (c) catalysis by homogeneous catalysts incorporated as framework struts, (d) catalysis by MOF-encapsulated molecular species, (e) catalysis by metal-free organic struts or cavity modifiers, and (f) catalysis by MOF-encapsulated clusters (66 references).

Engineering Metal Organic Frameworks for Heterogeneous Catalysis

Abstract: 2.2. MOFs with Metal Active Sites 4614 2.2.1. Early Studies 4614 2.2.2. Hydrogenation Reactions 4618 2.2.3. Oxidation of Organic Substrates 4620 2.2.4. CO Oxidation to CO2 4626 2.2.5. Phototocatalysis by MOFs 4627 2.2.6. Carbonyl Cyanosilylation 4630 2.2.7. Hydrodesulfurization 4631 2.2.8. Other Reactions 4632 2.3. MOFs with Reactive Functional Groups 4634 2.4. MOFs as Host Matrices or Nanometric Reaction Cavities 4636