Students: Kylie Park
Project: Novel Approach to the Synthesis of Supported Gold Nanoparticles for HMF Oxidation | View Poster (PDF)
Major: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Advisor: Steven McIntosh
Abstract
Biomass-derived feedstock provides a sustainable solution for biodegradable plastics production amid growing sustainability concerns. A key building block for such plastics is 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). FDCA is generally produced through the full oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which has two possible pathways due to its aldehyde and alcohol functional groups. Recently, gold-based electrocatalysts have emerged as effective catalysts for facilitating the HMF oxidation reaction (HMFOR) due to its remarkably low onset potential and great stability. Building upon the initial findings of excellent HMFOR activity when gold oxide is reduced, a facile method was developed to produce gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) from gold oxide. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) revealed the presence of a thin carbon basis layer with the Au NPs, indicating that HMF is involved with its formation. The Au NPs layer integrated with the thin layer catalyst (Au/X) reveals significantly enhanced HMFOR activity when compared to bulk gold. Although further research is required to fully characterize the thin layer catalyst and the underlying mechanism, the simplicity of the synthesis method and excellent HMFOR activity exhibited by Au/X strongly suggest its potential as an effective electrocatalyst.
About Kylie Park
Kylie Park is a third-year chemical engineering student with a minor in data science and a concentration in computational methods in engineering. She joined the Clare Boothe Luce Research Scholars program in 2022, working alongside Dr. Steven McIntosh on electrochemistry research focused on catalysts for redox reactions. Passionate about sustainability and the energy sector, Kylie will intern at Infineum in New Jersey this summer. Outside of the lab, she is an active member of AIChE, secretary of the Korean Students Association, and building manager at Lamberton Hall. Kylie also enjoys fitness and outdoor activities in her free time. After graduation, her goal is to enter the energy sector and leverage her diverse skills and research experience to promote sustainability.