CATALYSIS RESEARCH GROUP
National Institute of Technology, Warangal
RESEARCH PROJECTS
DEVELOPMENT OF SINGLE-CRYSTAL PYROCHLORE NANOMATERIAL AND ITS STUDY AS ELECTROLYTE FOR INTERMEDIATE TEMPERATURE SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS (IT-SOFC)
State-of-art SOFCs composed of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the electrolyte, Ni+YSZ cermet as anode, and La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM) perovskite as the cathode. The high operating temperature (800-1000 deg C) of SOFC demands expensive material as interconnects and insulation, and demands high energy due to the longer startup time. Recent research examines intermediate-temperature SOFCÂ for widespread applications since they are cost-effective and reduce the energy consumption for heat up. Pyrochlore structure with oxygen vacancy and better conductivity is the key alternative that will be studied in the project.
CATALYST DEVELOPMENT FOR HYDROGEN PEROXIDE DISSOCIATION FOR MONOPROPELLANT THRUSTERS
Hydrogen peroxide is the green propellant with high storage density, strong oxidizing potential and it can easily decompose into water and oxygen at high temperatures in the presence of catalysts. The energy of the decomposition reaction is used as thrust in rockets and missiles, aircraft jets, and underwater vehicles. Development of stable catalyst with specific intrinsic properties is the focus of the work.
CATALYST DEVELOPMENT FOR ABATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATES
Contaminants emitted from combustion reactions are serious pollutants, causing worldwide problems to our environment. Soot, Carbon monoxide and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are the critical pollutants of concern. Catalytic oxidation of these pollutants is a promising avenue both technologically and scientifically to overcome the problem. Catalyst with specific intrinsic and surface properties will be developed and tested.