Ritesh Tiwari

Bio: Ritesh Tiwari is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Petroleum. The author has contributed to research in topics: Catalysis & Biology. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 9 publications receiving 413 citations.

Selective Oxidation of Propylene to Propylene Oxide over Silver-Supported Tungsten Oxide Nanostructure with Molecular Oxygen

Abstract: Propylene oxide (PO) is a versatile chemical intermediate, and by volume it is among the top 50 chemicals produced in the world. The catalytic conversion of propylene to PO by molecular oxygen with minimum waste production is of high significance from an academic as well as an industrial point of view. We have developed a new synthesis strategy to prepare 2–5 nm metallic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) supported on tungsten oxide (WO3) nanorods with diameters between 30 and 40 nm, in the presence of cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide: CTAB), capping agent (polyvinylpyrrolidone: PVP), and hydrazine. The synergy between the surface AgNPs and WO3 nanorods facilitates the dissociation of molecular oxygen on the metallic Ag surface to produce silver oxide, which then transfers its oxygen to the propylene to form PO selectively. The catalyst exhibits a PO production rate of 6.1 × 10–2 mol gcat–1 h–1, which is almost comparable with the industrial ethylene-to-ethylene oxide production rate.

Synergistic Effect between Ultrasmall Cu(II) Oxide and CuCr2O4 Spinel Nanoparticles in Selective Hydroxylation of Benzene to Phenol with Air as Oxidant

Abstract: Phenol is an important commodity chemical, and the catalytic conversion of benzene to phenol by molecular oxygen with minimum waste production is of high significance from an academic as well as industrial point of view. We have developed a facile synthesis method for the preparation of 2–8 nm Cu(II) oxide nanoparticles supported on CuCr2O4 spinel nanoparticles (with size ∼55 nm). Detailed characterization of the material was carried out by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, FTIR, TGA, TPR, BET surface area, XANES, and ICP-AES methods. XRD and XPS analyses revealed that the main phase is CuCr2O4 spinel, where a small amount of CuO is dispersed on it. The catalyst was highly active for selective oxidation of benzene to phenol with air as oxidant. The influence of reaction parameters was investigated in detail. The high catalytic performance of the catalyst is due to the ultrasmall size of Cu(II) oxide nanoparticles and the strong synergy between ultrasmall Cu(II) oxide and CuCr2O4 spinel nanoparticles that plays a pivota...

Cu and Cu-Based Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis.

Abstract: The applications of copper (Cu) and Cu-based nanoparticles, which are based on the earth-abundant and inexpensive copper metal, have generated a great deal of interest in recent years, especially in the field of catalysis. The possible modification of the chemical and physical properties of these nanoparticles using different synthetic strategies and conditions and/or via postsynthetic chemical treatments has been largely responsible for the rapid growth of interest in these nanomaterials and their applications in catalysis. In addition, the design and development of novel support and/or multimetallic systems (e.g., alloys, etc.) has also made significant contributions to the field. In this comprehensive review, we report different synthetic approaches to Cu and Cu-based nanoparticles (metallic copper, copper oxides, and hybrid copper nanostructures) and copper nanoparticles immobilized into or supported on various support materials (SiO2, magnetic support materials, etc.), along with their applications i...

Metal–organic frameworks as selectivity regulators for hydrogenation reactions

Abstract: Unsaturated alcohols, widely used in the flavouring, perfume and pharmaceutical industries, are produced by selectively hydrogenating CO groups over CC groups present in suitable starting aldehyde molecules. Developing efficient catalysts for this transformation is challenging. Here Zhiyong Tang and colleagues describe a new type of highly selective catalyst in which platinum nanoparticles are sandwiched between a core and a shell of a metalorganic framework. This arrangement results in stable catalysts that selectively hydrogenate CO groups to produce a range of value-added unsaturated alcohols. The design strategy underpinning the work should be applicable to other selective catalysts for important yet challenging chemical reactions.

Dry reforming of methane: Influence of process parameters—A review

Abstract: This review will explore the influences of the active metal, support, promoter, preparation methods, calcination temperature, reducing environment, particle size and reactor choice on catalytic activity and carbon deposition for the dry reforming of methane Bimetallic (Ni−Pt, Ni−Rh, Ni−Ce, Ni−Mo, Ni−Co) and monometallic (Ni) catalysts are preferred for dry reforming compared to noble metals (Rh, Ru and Pt) due to their low-cost Investigation of support materials indicated that ceria−zirconia mixtures, ZrO2 with alkali metals (Mg2+, Ca2+, Y2+) addition, MgO, SBA-15, ZSM-5, CeO2, BaTiO3 and Ca08Sr02TiO3 showed improved catalytic activities and decreased carbon deposition The modifying effects of cerium (Ce), magnesium (Mg) and yttrium (Y) were significant for dry reforming of methane MgO, CeO2 and La2O3 promoters for metal catalysts supported on mesoporous materials had the highest catalyst stability among all the other promoters Preparation methods played an important role in the synthesis of smaller particle size and higher dispersion of active metals Calcination temperature and treatment duration imparted significant changes to the morphology of catalysts as evident by XRD, TPR and XPS Catalyst reduction in different environments (H2, He, H2/He, O2/He, H2−N2 and CH4/O2) indicated that probably the mixture of reducing agents will lead to enhanced catalytic activities Smaller particle size (

Catalyst design for dry reforming of methane: Analysis review

Abstract: The performance of catalysts used for the dry reforming of methane can strongly depend on the selection of active metals, supports and promoters. This work studies their effects on the activity and stability of selected catalysts. Designing an economically viable catalyst that maintains high catalytic activity and stability can be achieved by exploiting the synergic effects of combining noble and/or non-noble metals to form highly active and stable bi- and tri-metallic catalysts. Perovskite type catalysts can also constitute a potent and cost effective substituent. Metal oxide supports with surface Lewis base sites are able to reduce carbon formation and yield a greater stability to the catalyst, while noble metal promoters have proven to increase both catalyst activity and stability. Moreover, a successful metal-support-promoter combination should lead to higher metal-support interacrtion, lower reduction temperature and enhancement of the anti-coking and anti-amalgamation properties of the catalyst. However, the effect of each parameter on the overall performance of the catalyst is usually complex, and the catalyst designer is often faced with a tradeoff between activity, stability and ease of activation. Based on the review carried out on various studies, it is concluded that a catalyst design must take into consideration not only the separate effects of the active metal, support and promoter, but should also include the combined and mutual interactions of these components.

Mesoporous materials for clean energy technologies

Abstract: Alternative energy technologies are greatly hindered by significant limitations in materials science. From low activity to poor stability, and from mineral scarcity to high cost, the current materials are not able to cope with the significant challenges of clean energy technologies. However, recent advances in the preparation of nanomaterials, porous solids, and nanostructured solids are providing hope in the race for a better, cleaner energy production. The present contribution critically reviews the development and role of mesoporosity in a wide range of technologies, as this provides for critical improvements in accessibility, the dispersion of the active phase and a higher surface area. Relevant examples of the development of mesoporosity by a wide range of techniques are provided, including the preparation of hierarchical structures with pore systems in different scale ranges. Mesoporosity plays a significant role in catalysis, especially in the most challenging processes where bulky molecules, like those obtained from biomass or highly unreactive species, such as CO2 should be transformed into most valuable products. Furthermore, mesoporous materials also play a significant role as electrodes in fuel and solar cells and in thermoelectric devices, technologies which are benefiting from improved accessibility and a better dispersion of materials with controlled porosity.