Sulfur Dioxide Adsorption on Ceria-Zirconia Mixed Metal Oxide Materials

• Faculty Member:
• Graduate Students: Esteban Romano

This project is using surface science tools to examine the effects of sulfur dioxide exposure to cerium oxide (ceria) - zirconium oxide (zirconia) mixed metal oxide powders. Ceria-zirconia mixtures are used to enhance the oxygen storage threshold in automotive catalytic converters. However, long term exposure of catalytic converters to sulfur molecules results in a diminished oxygen storage ability, thereby reducing the ability of the catalytic converter to effectively mitigate harmful environmental pollutants. This study uses X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to determine the effects on the surface chemical properties of ceria-zirconia mixtures following exposure to realistic pressures of sulfur dioxide.

A Multi-scale Approach to Particle Breakage in Stirred Vessels and Its Integration into Education

• Faculty Member: Priscilla J. Hill
• Graduate Students: Devkant S. Gandhi
• Undergraduate Students: Sheena M. Reeves
• Funding Agency: National Science Foundation

Renewable Polymers

• Faculty Member: Keisha B. Walters
• Graduate Students: Mathew Rowe
• Undergraduate Students: Erin Smith, Lekeith Terrell, Andrew McMaster
• Funding Agency: DOE