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Dr. Monnier’s research interests focus on heterogeneous catalysis,
ranging from catalyst design and synthesis to characterization and
evaluation. Current interests are in the design and synthesis of
novel bimetallic catalysts for the selective transformation of
hydrocarbons to higher value chemicals. Bimetallic catalysts afford
great opportunities for changing performance, either by changing the
catalyst surfaces into ensembles of catalytic sites that permit only
selected reaction pathways, or alternatively by introducing
bifunctionality to the active surface by placing different catalytic
metals in close physical proximity.
Dr. Monnier utilizes electroless deposition methods to
selectively deposit the second component of a bimetallic catalyst
onto the other metallic component. This assures formation of
bimetallic catalysts, rather than aggregates of individual
monometallic particles. Reactions used to evaluate these catalysts
include selective hydrogenation of bifunctional olefins (e.g., 3,
4-epoxy-1-butene), which contain two distinctly different functional
groups, a C=C double bond and an epoxide group. By proper
composition of the bimetallic catalyst it is possible in principle
to design catalysts selective only to one of the two functional
groups. The second reaction of interest to Dr. Monnier is the
selective, gas phase epoxidation of allylic olefins, such as
propylene, using molecular oxygen. By proper design and synthesis,
it should be possible to markedly improve the selectivity to the
desired olefin epoxide by lowering combustion to CO2 and
H2O.
Other areas of interest include synthesis and
evaluation of improved catalysts for the anodic and cathodic
processes of H2 and O2 fuel cells and the
design and utilization of supported Au catalysts for selective
oxidation reactions.
Selected Publications
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J. R. Monnier, J. W. Medlin and Y.-J. Kuo,
"Selective Isomerization of 2,5-Dihydrofuran to 2,3-Dihydrofuran
Using CO-Modified, Supported Pd Catalysts," Appl. Catal. A, 194-195,
463-474 (2000).
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J. R. Monnier, J. W. Medlin and M. A. Barteau,
“Use of Oxygen-18 to Determine the Kinetics of Butadiene Epoxidation
Over Cs-Promoted, Ag Catalysts,” J. Catal., 203, 362-368 (2001).
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J. W. Medlin, J. R. Monnier and M. A. Barteau,
“Deuterium Kinetic Isotope Effects in Butadiene Epoxidation Over
Unpromoted and Cs-Promoted Silver Catalysts,” J. Catal., 204, 71
(2001).
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J. R. Monnier, K. T. Peters and G. W. Hartley,
“The Selective Epoxidation of Conjugated Olefins Containing Allylic
Substituents and Epoxidation of Propylene in the Presence of
Butadiene,” J. Catal., 225, 374 (2004).
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J. R. Monnier, J. L. Stavinoha, Jr. and G. W.
Hartley, Effects of Chlorine and Chlorine Dynamics During
Silver-Catalyzed Epoxidation of Butadiene,” J. Catal., 226, 321
(2004).
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