KOSEN 한인과학기술자네트워크

Research Overview

Our research is focused on determination of reaction mechanisms and active sites in surface catalysis by metals, metal oxides, metal-oxygen clusters, and olefin polymerization catalysts. Characterization and manipulation of catalyst surfaces by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and energy environmental catalysts are also our major research concerns. A goal of our research is to demonstrate the design of new materials and of new catalysts starting from the discovery of novel surface reactions, and thus to establish a new paradigm for the development of new catalytic science and technology.

Molecular Structure		STM Image		A plane of Bulk Crystal

Research Area

Molecular Catalysis by Metals, Metal Oxides, Metal-Oxygen Clusters, and Olefin Polymerization Catalysts

This research includes (i) chemistry and catalysis of various polyoxometalate structural classes, (ii) selective partial oxidation, (iii) acid-base catalysis, (iv) fine chemical synthesis, (v) catalytic membrane reactor, (vi) polymer-supported catalysts, and (vii) catalyst design by molecular imprinting technique. Our research also covers Ziegler-Natta, metallocene, and their hybrid catalysts for olefin polymerization, with an aim of applying these hybrid catalysts to the Ziegler-Natta-based olefin polymerization processes.

Characterization and Manipulation of Catalyst Surfaces by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

Our STM studies of heteropolyacids (HPAs) span a wide range of issues in catalysis and surface science. These examples include (i) determination of redox and acid properties of bulk HPA catalysts from surface properties of nanostructured HPA monolayers, (ii) probing molecular shape, orientation, and packing of self-assembled HPA arrays, (iii) identification of individual molecules in the mixed HPA catalysts, and (iv) fabrication of atomically sharp and stable STM probe utilizing HPA single molecule.

Energy Environmental Catalysts

Our research areas related to energy and environmental catalysts are (i) hydrogen production for fuel cell, (ii) hydrogen storage, (iii) decomposition of hazardous organic materials, and (iv) electrode materials for pseudo-EDLC and hybrid-EDLC.

Catalyst Development for Petrochemical Industries

We are developing molecular catalysts for petrochemical industries. We are conducting following researches.

1. Chemical immobilization and molecular catalysis of polyoxometalate catalysts
2. Hydrogen production for fuel cell by steam reforming of LNG
3. Oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane to n-butene/1,3-butadiene
4. Hydrogen storage and recovery
5. Catalysis of Wells-Dawson heteropolyacids
6. Production of low olefins from C5 fraction
7. Catalysis for the synthesis of hydrogen peroxide
8. Hydrogenation of bio-based C4 chemical (succinic acid)
9. Decomposition of lignin compounds to aromatics
10. Electrode materials for supercapacitor
11. Synthesis of dimethylcarbonate from methanol and carbon dioxide
12. Scanning tunneling microscopy of polyoxometalates
13. Synthesis of biofuels
14. Total oxidation of odorous compounds
15. Production of synthetic natural gas from coal